[The brain of Gallus domesticus L., a quantitative analysis of embryonic and postnatal growth]

The study among domestic fowls (Gallus domesticus L.) of the growth allometry of various brain structures in comparison with the body weight during the embryonic and post natal period leads to two different conclusions: Every structure shows a growth alteration which occurs about hatching time and is characterized by an abrupt decrease of the slope of the reducted major axis. The comparison of the allometric characteristics of every structure with those of the entire brain allows to distinguish between three kinds of growth; regressive, steady or progressive. A slow and early growth is typical of a phylogenetically ancient structure; a dynamic and late growth shows a phylogenetically recent structure. This corroborates the corticoid trend among some striated complexes (Neostriatum, ventral Hyperstriatum) that several authors had thought of.