390 S. SAGUCHI 



emits shorter or longer prolongations which either consist of 

 solid cords or still exhibit a reticular structure, and which can 

 be traced through the granular zone to varying distances; even, 

 under favorable conditions, as far as the distal (figs. 91, 93, 95, 

 96) or lateral margin of the cell (figs. 89, 94). These long pro- 

 longations, if present, are usually one to three in number, and, 

 in either case, they can never be followed tow T ard the cell basis. 

 Further, in the Cajal preparation, spherical corpuscles stained 

 the same color as the cords may often be seen suspended on the 

 network (fig. 98). If such corpuscles are present in large num- 

 bers, the typical network is no longer visible, the cords of the net 

 being represented by rows of granules or droplets, which are 

 arranged in such a manner as to form an ill-defined network 

 (fig. 97). The same corpuscles are also seen scattering sparsely 

 through the granular zone, some of them being attached to the 

 distal or lateral border of the cell (figs. 95, 97, 98) ; even some- 

 times lying in the lumen. 



From the above observations it seems most probable that the 

 substance constituting the network is being discharged either 

 by means of projections or in such a way that the cords disinte- 

 grate into granules or droplets, both projections and droplets 

 passing through the granular zone to reach the cell border. 

 It is also probable that, of these projections and granules, those 

 which are directed toward the distal margin must be extruded 

 into the lumen, while those which proceed toward the lateral 

 margin reach the intercellular canaliculi. In fact, the lumen 

 and especially the intercellular canaliculi are often found 

 filled with substance which shows the same staining reaction, 

 the droplets or projections in the cell-body being in direct con- 

 tinuity with the mass outside the cell (fig. 98). As these pic- 

 tures are by no means artifacts, nor can be interpreted as repre- 

 senting the passage of a substance from the outside into the cell, 

 it is, I think, impossible to avoid the conclusion that the net- 

 work is composed of a secreting material which is formed within 

 the cell and which is to be discharged into the lumen or into the 

 intercellular canaliculi. 



