218 Dr Martin Barry on the 



cells in this manner (see jS in fig. 44),^the directions taken by 

 the two filaments having been so different, that he suggests 

 whether one of them may not have belonged to a cerebral 

 fibre, and the other to a peripheral nerve. 



From all that I have written concerning the nucleus of the 

 cell, — which had been supposed to remain inert in the cell- 

 wall, or to be " cast off as useless and absorbed," — and espe- 

 cially from what I have said regarding the mysterious centre of 

 that nucleus — the primogenital, absorbing, assimilating, for- 

 mative, dividing, subdividing, even vibratory, and ever active 

 hyaline — it will be seen that to me Dr Harless's observation 

 must be one of surpassing interest. I refrain, however, from 

 further remarking on it ; the subject having been here re- 

 ferred to merely for the purpose of shewing that, by the ex- 

 istence of a connection between the nucleolus of the cell and 

 nerve, that of the orifice in question is implied. 



In connection with Professor Goodsir's observations on 

 the placenta, I refer to my own, previously published, on the 

 mode of origin of the chorion (Plate II., fig. 54 x) ; for the 

 purpose of pointing out in the nuclei of the cells which enter 

 into the formation of the chorion, the source of the germinal 

 spots or centres figured by Goodsir in advanced stages of that 

 membrane. (I would also direct attention particularly to a 

 fact above referred to, the presence of nuclei or germinal 

 centres in cell-membranes however small at first, — as for in- 

 stance in the membrane of the ovisac. This I think not un- 

 deserving of remembrance, in connection with the subject of 

 the enlargement which some cells undergo in both healthy 

 and morbid growths.) 



In his important paper on secretion, published in 1842,* 

 Professor Goodsir recognises cells in general as endowed 

 with a property which, I must do myself the justice to say, 

 had not been overlooked by me when examining such cells 

 as came under my notice. Thus, the year before, I had 

 shewn the pigmentum nigrum to have its origin in cells. But 

 it is evident Professor Goodsir was not aware of what I had 



* Trans. R. S. E., 1842. 



