Huber-DeWitt, Nerve- Endings in Muscles. 223 



the more inexplicable, since, as we have shown, the intrafusal 

 fibers are supplied with a motorial ending. We have at the 

 present time no observations to offer in explanation of this fact. 

 So far as we are aware, no concerted effort has been made to 

 ascertain the behavior of the spindle-nerves, and we refer here 

 more especially to the ultimate ending of these nerves, after 

 nerve-sections. This we hope to do in the near future, also to 

 ascertain as to whether so complicated a nerve-ending is capable 

 of regeneration. 



As to the account of the ultimate endings of the spindle- 

 nerves given by Ruffini in the note from which we have quoted, 

 we would say, — that, so far as we can determine from the brief 

 account given by him, he has not materially added to his form- 

 er, and more fully reported observations, which in the preced- 

 ing pages we have quoted ; and further, that we believe our 

 figures will show the various forms of ending mentioned by him, 

 with the exception perhaps of the plate-like endings. Concern- 

 ing these it is rather difficult, owing to the meager account given, 

 to form a definite idea as to the kind of ending Ruffini had in 

 mind when formulating his description. 



A division of the muscle-spindles into the three forms given 

 by Ruffini seems to. us somewhat arbitrary. The configurations 

 of the ultimate endings differ, yet these differences appear in 

 every well-stained spindle. A division into simple and complex, 

 or perhaps better compound, spindles — simple, with only one 

 area of nerve distribution, compound, with two or more such 

 areas — seems to us more justifiable. 



