398 JAMES ROLLIN SLONAKER 



globular masses are found free in the lenticular chamber as 

 well as attached to the cells leads me to infer that they are 

 secretions from the cells of the annular pad and that they have 

 assumed globular and irregular forms due to coagulation by the 

 hardening fluids. The granular appearance of the cells also 

 indicates that they are secretory in function. Rows of granular 

 masses can often be seen extending directly away from the bases 

 of the cells, frequently reaching the opposite side of the lenticular 

 chamber. They are apparently formed by the rapid secretion 

 of the cells to which they are adjacent. The contents of the 

 lenticular chamber is, in my opinion, a secretion formed by the 

 cells of the annular pad. This secretion serves to nourish the 

 lens. The globular ends of the cells described by many authors 

 'is simply this coagulated secretion and lies wholly outside the 

 cell wall. The function of the annular pad and the lenticular 

 chamber would therefore be nutritive. This structure does not 

 indicate that they could take any part in accommodation as 

 stated by Ritter ('00). Any strain or pressure on the annular 

 pad could not be transmitted to the lenticular part because of 

 the fluid content of the lenticular chamber. 



The nuclei of the cells of the anterior and posterior margins of 

 the annular pad are located at the extreme outer ends close to 

 the lens capsule and are very conspicuous. In the region of the 

 equator they form two rows and are located a short distance 

 from the peripheral ends of the cells. At either margin only one 

 row is found, which gradually disappears. This leaves the 

 anterior and posterior surfaces and the entire central portion of 

 the lens free from nuclei whicji can be demonstrated by haema- 

 toxylin and eosin stains. 



The cells of the anterior and posterior margins of the annular 

 pad differ. Those in front are quite similar in structure to those 

 of the equator. Toward the posterior margin the cells gradually 

 lose their granular appearance their nuclei are no longer visible 

 and they show a gradual transformation into the true lens 

 fibers. A sharp line can therefore not be drawn separating the 

 cells of the posterior margin of the annular pad from those of the 

 central mass or true lens. 



