germule (jermul)

[ The majestic tree of human thought can never be comprehended unle regard is had to the formle germule of the psychical life of the zoophite, and ascending evolution is followed up in the animal series. Tr. for Alien , and Neurol., VI. 495. germ-vesicle (jerm'vesi-kl), n. In embryol., a germ in a vesicular state. It is either ( a ) a true germ-vesicle or blastula, preceding gastrulation, as in most animals, or (b) an intestinal germ-vesicle or gastrocystis, peculiar to mammals; in the latter case it follows gastrulation, and is generally confounded with a blastula; it is what is called in human anatomy the blastodermic vesicle. See blastosphere , gastrocystis , and cut under gastru lati on . See girn .