Ein Regelwerk für paläontologische Grabungen in der Grube Messel

The “Framework Messel” formulates regulations, recommendations and instructions for planning and carrying out palaeontological excavations in the Messel pit. The excavation of fossils in the Land Hessen is to some extent controlled by the Monument Protection Law. Therefore, the Framework was developed in close cooperation with the Land Monument Office. Administrative, scientific and organizational conditions for the excavations in the Middle Eocene oil-shales of Messel are listed. Instructional pamphlets explain technical details regarding methods of documentation, excavation and preparation of finds and results.     

EMBRYOLOGY OF CALYPSO BULBOSA. I. OVULE DEVELOPMENT

Calypso bulbosa is a terrestrial orchid that grows in north temperate regions. Like many orchids, the Calypso has ovules that are not fully developed at anthesis. After pollination, the ovule primordia divide several times to produce a nucellar filament which consists of five to six cells. The subterminal cell of the nucellar filament enlarges to become the archesporial cell. Through further enlargement and elongation, the archesporial cell becomes the megasporocyte. An unequal dyad results from the first meiotic division. A triad of one active chalazal megaspore and two inactive micropylar megaspores are the end products of meiotic division. Callose is present in the cell wall of the megaspore destined to degenerate. In the mature embryo sac the number of nuclei is reduced to six when the chalazal nuclei fail to divide after the first mitotic division. The chalazal nuclei join the polar nucleus and the male nucleus near the center of the embryo sac subsequent to fertilization.