xxiv Journal of Comparative Neurology. 



tistical study of the variation of these organs and got some sur})rising 

 results. Cf. Vol. V. of this Journal, p. xvi. 



C. J. H. 



A Xew Journal. 



The first number of the '■'■ Rivista di Patologia nervose e fnentale" 

 appears with the new year issuing from the Clinic of Psychiatry of Flor- 

 ence. The directors are Dr. E. Tanzi, associated with A. Tamburini 

 (Reggio Emilia) and E. Morselli (Genoa); the editors are E. Belmondo 

 and E. Lugaro, together with an able board of colloborators. We are 

 promised in the prospectus monthly issues making in the aggregate 

 about 500 pages per year. The field to be cultivated is that of an 

 " Italian Centralblatt " and, judging from the two numbers which have 

 thus far reached us, the labors of the editors are being wisely and fruit- 

 fully expended. The review department is well sustained. We append 

 notices of a few of the brief original articles. 



Structure of the Cytoplasm of the Nerve Cell.^ 



Nissl's method of differential staining after alcohol hardening, 

 which has given such an impulse to recent cytological work, is made 

 the basis of an investigation of the relative functional value of the 

 chromatic and the achromatic elements of the general protoplasm of 

 the nerve cells. Dr. Lugaro comes to the conclusion that the achro- 

 matic substance is the physiologically active medium, while the chro- 

 matic elements are simply passive. The achromatic part is composed 

 of a filar mass in the sense of Flemming, while the chromatic part 

 which alone is stained by the method of Nissl represents an interfilar 

 mass, and therefore the method of Nissl is absolutely negative regard- 

 ing the real structure of the nerve cell. 



This conclusion is based on the mode of development of the chro- 

 matic ma.sses, their distribution in the adult cell and their relative abun- 

 dance in the various processes. The fact that the chromatic substance is 

 absent in the smallest ramifications of the nerve fibres, and is present in 

 greater quantity and in larger masses in the larger processes of the cell 

 and particularly in the cell body itself is regarded as evidence that it 

 is composed either of nutritive material or of products of dissimila- 

 tion. The smaller dendritic termini having a greater surface in pro- 

 portion to their mass do not reipiire any special nutritive mechanism. 



• Lugaro, E. Sul valore rispettivo della parte croinatica e della acroiualica 

 nel citoplasma delle cellule nervosa. Rivista di Patol. nerv, e ment., I, I, Jan., 

 1896. 



