Huber-DeWitt, Neuro-tendinoiis End-organs. 203 



As to the special function of the neuro-tendinous end-or- 

 gans, there are many differences of opinion. Sachs believed 

 that they regulated the distension of tendons in the contraction 

 of the corresponding muscles. Golgi regarded them as instru- 

 ments of special nerve reverberation of tendon to muscle and 

 was supported by Erb, Westphal, Schultze and Fiirbringer. 

 Cattaneo regarded them as organs of muscle sense, while Ciac- 

 cio believed that they proportioned the amount of distension 

 and resistance of the tendon to the amount of contrac- 

 tion of the corresponding muscle. We will not venture 

 to add one more to this list of conflicting opinions, none of 

 which are supported by proofs, but will merely say that Ciac- 

 cio's opinion seems to us reasonable. As to the manner of 

 producing this effect, their general structure, the peculiar clamp- 

 like endings surrounding the peripheral bundles of the organ 

 seem to render it probable that they, like the neuro-muscular 

 spindles, are peculiarly adapted to respond to impulses mechan- 

 ical in their nature. 



Conclusion and Swmnafy. 



From the results of our investigations on the four classes 

 of vertebrates studied, we think we are warranted in the follow- 

 ing conclusions : 



I. In the four classes of vertebrates studied, the tendons 

 are supplied with a special nerve end-organ consisting of several 

 tendon fasciculi, embryonic in nature, which in birds and mam- 

 malia are generally surrounded by a connective tissue capsule, 

 while they are usually not so surrounded in reptilia and never 

 in amphibia. 



II. These end-organs have an independent blood supply 

 as shown by Cattaneo and an independent nerve supply. 



III. They are usually innervated by a single nerve fiber, 

 which may branch before reaching the organ or after penetrat- 

 ing the capsule. There may, however, be two or more inde- 

 pendent nerves, 



IV. These nerves, after repeated branching, end in a 

 manner which, in its minuter details, differs for the different 



