THE LACHRYMAL GLANDS. 265 



missed them, is of no consequence. The special thinness of 

 the multipolar cells in the rabbit does not allow the profile 

 view to appear as a half-moon ; but yet in these glands the 

 peculiar net-like structure is found, although not nearly so 

 strongly developed as in the calf. 



All the above-named glands were examined also as to their 

 nerve-endings by means of the capital method of Pflueger, 

 that is, by the use of very diluted chromic acid. Concerning 

 this method^ I need only to mention the writing of Pflueger, 

 and again repeat the advice not to overlook any of the pre- 

 cautions given by him. 



In the preparations kept by means of this method the cells 

 which lie close to one another within the alveolus appear irre- 

 gularly polygonal, and, as Pflueger says, nearly of the same 

 size. If not at first sight, at least by different focussing, all 

 show sometimes a simply round, but generally an excen- 

 trically placed nucleus, which often sends out a pointed pro- 

 jection. We see no trace of the multipolar cells, and it is 

 only in the glands of the calf and dog that we see peculiar 

 crescent-shaped forms, which generally are disposed about 

 the blind end of the alveolus. 



The alveoli appear to be surrounded by connective tissue. 

 In the rabbit this is^scarcest and the fibrils finest, and attaches 

 itself very loosely to the alveoli. In old rabbits it is more 

 mixed with stronger fibrils and elastic tissue, and more 

 solid, and is with difficulty detached from the alveolus. It is 

 the carrier of the blood-vessels and nerves. As a peculiarity 

 of the lachrymal glands of the sheep, I may here mention the 

 enormous abundance of stellate pigment-cells which accom- 

 pany the nerve-branches. 



We will now direct our attention to the examination of 

 the course and endings of the nerve-fibres. I will begin 

 with the lachrymal glands, Avhere the relations are simpler, 

 because one nerve, namely the n. lachrymalis, has the whole 

 care of the glands, whilst in the salivary glands the nerves 

 which rule the secretion are difficult to be seen by naked-eye 

 anatomical preparation. 



If one examines quite freshly-prepared n. lachrymalis in a 

 solution of iodine, serum, or chromic acid, it will be found 

 that by far the greater portion of the nerve-fibres (in my 

 opinion four fifths) are medullary nerve-fibres. It is worth 

 remarking that all sizes lie close to one another, from the 

 rudest to the finest. Besides these fibres there are also 

 others. Their diameter is very changeable. They consist of 

 a very soft, very easily burst, connective-tissue-like covering, 

 in which granuli are often to be seen, and of a peculiarly 



