i8o Journal of Comparative Neurology. 



TJic motor ending in striped mnscle of amphibia. As is well 

 known, in amphibia the axis cylinder of the motor fibres term- 

 inating in striped muscle does not end in a localized area (birds, 

 reptilia and mammalia), but ramifies over a proportionately much 

 larger area, forming the so-called ''Stangen-geweih" as was 

 first correctly pointed out by Kiihne, The form of this ending 

 is so well known that a further description seems superfluous. 

 There is, however, one point, concerning which investigators 

 are still not agreed ; namely, the relation of the end-branches 

 of the axis cylinder to the sarcolemma of the muscle fibers. 

 We trust our observations may be of some value in settling 

 this point. 



Following Kiihne, many observers have stated that the 

 ramifications of the axis cylinder of the motor nerves terminat- 

 ing in striped muscle of amphibia are under the sarcolemma, 

 while Krause, KoUiker, Sihler and, to some extent, also Retzius 

 contend that these endings are wholly or in part outside the 

 sarcolemma. 



Kolliker has this to say concerning these endings: "Die 

 Nervenfasern gehen zuletz in blasse Endfasern iiber, die alle 

 aus einer Fortsetzung der Schwann sclien Scheide und des Ach- 

 sencylinders bestehen und da und dort dieselben Kerne zeigen, 

 die auch in der Schwann'schen Scheide der noch dunkelrandigen 

 angrenzenden Nerven sich finden." "In Betreff der Lage 

 dieser Endaste stehen sich immer noch zwei Ansichten gegen- 

 iiber, indem die Einen mit Kiihne dieselben zwischen das Sar- 

 colemma und die Substanz des Muskelfaser verlegen, die 

 anderen mit mir und Krause der Meinung sind dass dieselben 

 auf dem Sarcolemma ihre Lage habe. " 



Sihler, in two publications giving the results of observations 

 made with two methods which he himself has devised (see his 

 accounts for these methods), expresses himself very strongly in 

 favor of an epilemmal ending of the nerve fibers in frog's muscle. 



The conclusions expressed in his earlier communication 

 may serve to show his position. "The whole nerve ending is 

 situated on the outside of the sarcolemma, and, like the capil- 



