The mechanism of ciliary movement

Abstract

The mechanism of ciliary movement has been extensively studied from the morphological point of view, and although there is a general consensus of opinion as to the structure of the “ciliary apparatus,” there is no adequate account of the functions of the various parts of the mechanism. The material used for this work has been the gills ofMytilus edulis, and has already been described (Orton, 27). It is entirely due to the movement of the cilia that an efficient stream of water is kept passing on to the face of the gill, and that the food is moved up to the mouth of the animal. By means of carmine particles the existence of these currents is easily detected by the naked eye.