MAMMALS 



463 



In the lower Placentals tlie anterior gap between the two leaves 

 of the ciliary body forming the ciliary cleft deprives the root of the 

 iris of its support and consequently, to serve as anchorage, a series of 

 strands runs from the iris and the base-jDlate of the ciliary body towards 

 the limbal portion of the cornea where they j^icrce Descemet's membrane 



Figs. 589 and 590. — Thk Ciliary Body of Carnivores and Primates 



(.J. Rohen). 



Fig. 589.— Dog ( x 20). 



fSB 



i-IL,. 



-Ajie ( •. ati;. 



and blend with the deeper layers of the substantia propria (Fig. 596). 

 These strands of connective tissue covered with endothelium, bridaing; 

 over the cleft, constitute the pectinate ligament, which gives supj^ort 

 to the root of the iris, the base-jDlate of the ciliary body and therefore 

 ultimately to the lens. In the lower Placentals wherein the cleft is 

 rudimentary and accommodative stram is lacking and m Primates 

 wherein the cleft is replaced by solid tissue, the jjectinate ligament is 



