278 Dr. M. Barry on the Pitted Tissue of 



XLI. — Note in reply to Dr. Griffith's Remarks on the Pitted 

 Tissue of Plants, on Muscle, &?♦* By Martin Barry, 

 M.D., F.R.SS. L. & E. 



I have to acknowledge the courtesy shown in the remarks of 

 Dr. Griffith, and regret that his opinions differ so widely from 

 my own ; but am compelled to say, I find nothing in his com- 

 munication that alters in any particular my views, or that re- 

 quires more than general notice at my hands. 



" The appearances observed by Dr. Barry in the blood," 

 which Dr. Griffith thinks were " misinterpreted," I cannot 

 suppose that Dr. Griffith ever saw ; if I may judge from the 

 description he has given. That they are however visible, is 

 proved by the following description given by another, who did 

 see the appearances in question. Whether they have been 

 " misinterpreted," the future may determine. 



"Bristol, August 19, 1842. 



" Dr. Barry has pointed out to me, among the corpuscles of newt's 

 blood, preserved in their own serum, without any reagent having 

 been applied to them, many which had the form of a flask with a 

 projecting neck, or which might be still better compared to the body 

 of a pair of bellows with its projecting nozzle. The projecting por- 

 tion appeared to be a filament, having a much higher refracting 

 power than the general substance of the corpuscle. He also showed 

 me, in a portion of blood to which corrosive sublimate had been 

 added, a corpuscle which was evidently destitute of the ordinary nu- 

 cleus ; and which contained what appeared to be a filament which 

 presented transverse markings that resembled those of muscular 

 fibrillse, the interspaces being oblique. The appearance resembled 

 that of Dr. Barry's fig. 9 fi. [Phil. Trans. 1842, plate 5.], except that 

 there was no trace of nucleus. 



(Signed) " W. B. Carpenter." 



My preparations of muscle have been seen by many, to 

 whom I could refer for their opinions regarding them. Among 

 our own countrymen maybe mentioned Robert Brown, D.C.L., 

 and Professors Owen and Sharpey, besides the gentlemen from 

 whom I have received the testimonials at foot. To the kind- 

 ness of Professor Sharpey I am indebted for the beautiful 

 preparation of muscle from the tail of the tadpole mentioned 

 by Dr. Griffith. The following note was sent me by one who 

 had closely examined that preparation. 



"6 Holies Street, Cavendish Square, Oct. 13, 1842. 

 " My dear Sir, — On returning home today after seeing your ex- 

 quisite preparations of muscular tissue, I was anxious to express my 

 thanks for your kindness and patience in exhibiting the series to me. 

 I went to your house by no means prepared to admit the existence of 

 * Annals of Natural History, No. 68, for Feb. 1813, p. 95. 



