THE LACHRYMAL GLAND 157 



man wliich increase from childhood to old age. According to 

 Bensley these are probably plasma cells. 



The supporting elements finally ramify and surround each 

 acinus, or tubule, forming a network or reticulum. The larger 

 septa contain fat and small glandular lobules in addition to the 

 vessels, nerves, and ducts. The septa are composed chiefly of 

 collagenic fibres (Van Gieson's). Elastic fibres are present to 

 some extent in all the interlobular framework, especially around 

 the ducts and vessels. Cells suggesting smooth muscle cells are 

 sometimes seen, in addition to those seen in the vessel walls, 

 occurring very sparsely and as a rule singly in the neighborhood 

 of the ducts. 



The intralobular septa 



The intralobular connective tissue septa are practically com- 

 posed of collagenic fibres and reticulum. In the larger of these, 

 only, are elastic fibres seen independent of the vascular walls. 

 In the smaller septa well within the lobules elastic fibres are 

 seen only in connection with the blood vessels. No elastic 

 fibrils are seen surrounding the alveoli of the gland. 



Elastic fibres 



• My observations regarding the final distribution of elastic 

 fibres do not entirely agree with Boll ('71), Schirmer, and Fuma- 

 galli, who claim that elastic fibres surround the alveoli, or tubules. 

 Regarding these fibres Riquier remarks — ''nei sepimenti con- 

 nettivali attorno ai vasi ed ai condotti escretori, sono invece 

 difficilimente dimostrabili intorno ai tubuli secernenti." 



My investigations indicate that elastic fibres do not enter the 

 lobules and surround each tubule. Repeated examinations of 

 tissues fixed in various solutions and stained both by Weigert's 

 and the Unna-Taenzer method — the latter was used by the 

 Italian investigators — did not show the presence of elastic 

 fibres surrounding the acini. 



In using these stains, it is most essential to fully decolorize 

 the section. Otherwise the usual collagenic fibres and reticulum 



