9Q2 Literary Notices. 



Wilson, J. T. On the Anatomy of the Calamus Region in the Human Bulb, with an Account of a 

 Hitherto Underscribed "Nucleus Postremus." Journ. Anat. and Physiol., Yol. ^o, Fart 3, 

 pp. 210-241, and Part 4, pp. 357-386. 1906. 



The region of the calamus scriptorius of the medulla oblongata is of great im- 

 portance morphologically, particularly in connection with the problems connected 

 with the phylogentic relations between brain and spinal cord. This region, it ap- 

 pears, is exceedingly variable, a fact which accounts for much conflict in the litera- 

 ture. In truth, this part of the human brain has never been comparatively studied 

 and minutely described. Professor Wilson here pubhshes a valuable study 

 designed to supply the desired information regarding this region and the limits of 

 its variation. 



He describes three distinct dorsal massive fusions above the fourth ventricle in 

 the calamus region of the human bulb. One is the true obex, another a more ex- 

 tensive fusion of the ala cinereal funiculi ventrally of the obex, which he terms the 

 "intercinereal commissure." Between these two there sometimes occurs a fusion 

 of the areae postremae of the two sides. These structures are usually not all well 

 developed in the same specimens. When the most ventral coalescence is large the 

 obex is reduced to scarcely more than a membrane, termed the "false obex." The 

 obex lies above the area postrema, the intercinereal commissure below the latter, 

 connecting the vago-accessorial columns or funiculi of opposite sides. The coales- 

 cence of the areas postremas may occur independently of both of the other commis- 

 sures mentioned, or it may be more extensive so as to extend up to and even include 

 within it the obex. A mass of neurones is described in the area postremus, the 

 "nucleus postremus." 



The obex is regarded by Wilson as lying in the roof plate (of His), and the in- 

 tercinereal commissure as connecting derivatives of the lateral zone ("Schaltstiick" 

 of His), which Wilson rightly regards (in opposition to the treatment of His in de- 

 scribing these structures) as of equal morphological value with the dorsal and ven- 

 tral zones. The area postrema of Retzius represents the true dorsal zone (of His) 

 of the embryonic neural tube. 



Numerous stereographic illustrations materially assist the author's presentation. 

 He has also studied and figured transections of all the important variant types 

 described. 



c. J. H. 



Bruce, Alex. Distribution of the In termed io-lateral Tract of the Spinal Cord. Trans. Roy Soc. 

 Edinburgh, Vol. 45, Part I, No. 5. 1906. 



This paper gives the results of an enumeration and study of the cells of the in- 

 termedio-lateral tract of the human spinal cord, suggested by the author's previous 

 studies upon the cells of the ventral cornua. 



The intermedio-lateral tract may be defined as a tract composed of a special 

 series of nerve cells, situated at the outer margin of that portion of the gray matter 

 which lies between the anterior and posterior cornua. These cells are not neces- 

 sarily limited to the lateral cornua. Within the spinal cord the tract is found in 

 three regions: (i) in the upper cervical region as low as C. 4; (2) in the lower cervical, 

 the thoracic and the upper lumbar regions; and (3) in the lower sacral region. It is 

 absent in the cervical enlargement from C. 5 to C. 7 inclusive, and in the lumbo- 

 sacral region from L. 3 to the upper part of S. 3 inclusive. In that portion of the tract 



