782 
though the connection is broken for some little distance between the 
two portions. 
Ganglia, the true and absolute criterion of visceral sympathetic 
nerves, have not been found in the same relative abundance that they 
are in other organs. As they are the most difficult of all the sym- 
pathetic nerve structures to stain by the silver method, the method may 
be at fault, or they may not be present in the same numbers as they 
are in other organs. Simple local enlargements like that depicted in 
fig. 4, are not so uncommon, while pictures like figs. 11 and 12 are 
only met with at rare intervals. Both drawings were made from per- 
fectly definite figures, standing out prominently by their shape and color 
among inter-lobular nerve plexuses, and in both instances their fibres were 
connected with those of the plexus. Their irregular shape and ge- 
neral contour conform closely to those found in other glandular bodies, 
while the intensely black staining permits no trace of cellular structure 
to be brought into view by the microscope. 
Conclusions. 
The intrinsic nerves of the liver, present in the main, little va- 
riation in their course or terminations from the nerve elements of 
other, already studied glands. The newest as well as one of the most 
important additions to our histological knowledge that has been fur- 
nished by this study, has been the discovery that the vessels of the 
portal circulation are furnished with a rich supply of nerve fibres, a 
circumstance that, however, might have been readily foreseen by the 
results of the physiological experiments of PAr (8), and Matt (9), 
upon the portal circulation. 
Next in importance in our study is the influence of the nerves 
upon the gall canals, it being demonstrated that they supply the un- 
striped muscle in the outer layer of the duct, and also with great 
probability enter into the cement substance between the columnar cells, 
lining the canal. 
Thirdly, that the fibres coming from the walls of the portal veins 
and hepatic arteries, and passing between the liver cells, are not true 
nerve fibres, as has been supposed by NESTEROwsKY and others, but 
belong to the reticulated tissue system, and that the true nerve 
endings of the liver, do not differ in any material way from those of 
other organs. Lastly, that ganglionic enlargements, which have never 
been found among the doubtful fibres, do occur, though the silver stain 
does not show them with frequency. Medullated fibres have a very 
doubtful existence within the proper limits of the hepatic organ, the 
