52 



embedded in this substance influence the development of the fibres, 

 he does not know how, but not by converting themselves into fibres. 

 They shrivel and disappear as the fibres increase and become more 

 perfectly formed. lie thinks the nucleated cell is always a terminal 

 and not a transitional form in morbid growths. These views are 

 developed and illustrated principally by reference to the appearances 

 presented by morbid growths. 



2. Bones. — Prof. Owen* has made large contributions towards the 

 perfection of that theory, in accordance with which efforts have been 

 made to establish a universal law of formation for all the bones of the 

 vertebrate skeleton — a type pervading the whole, which may be traced 

 in all. There is a modification of greater or less extent imprinted 

 upon the structure and form of the different parts of each segment 

 of the vertebral column, in accordance with the requisites for the 

 accommodation of the parts about and within it. But all these mo- 

 difications are made with a uniformity of design, so that there is no 

 great difficulty in tracing out the original archetypal plan. The 

 modification is greatest in the human skull ; yet, even here, the idea 

 may be traced, and an analogy is presented by the separate and 

 additional bones of the lateral and (in part) central portions of this 

 complex structure to the simple vertebrae of the central segments of 

 the spine, where the nearest approach is made to the ideal archetype. 

 The researches of the Professor are profound, and the theory import- 

 ant, in view of its bearing on the general law of development for all 

 the parts, soft as well as osseous, of the human frame. A condensed 

 view of the theory is given by Ranking, in his Report on the Pro- 

 gress of Anatomy and Physiology, in his half-yearly Abstract, from 

 July to January last, a work to which the committee will here ac- 

 knowledge their indebtedness. 



*& v 



3. Intimate Structure of Bone. — Mr. John Quekcttf reported 

 that he has ascertained the existence of a certain relation between 

 the size of the cells of bone and the blood-discs in different animals ; 

 these cells being largest in reptiles, smaller in fishes, and still 

 smaller in birds. A discovery of interest and importance to the 

 Comparative Anatomist and Natural Historian. 



4. Nerves — Contractile movement of Nerves. — M. MandlJ has 

 been able to verify the fact that nerves do possess such movements 



* Report of Brit. Ass. in 1846, and Lecture on Fishes in 1847. 



t At the Microscopical Soc, Nov. 11, 1847. J Archives Generates, Nov. 1847. 



