cii Journal of Comparative Neurology. 



method over the chrome-silver method, which so often pro- 

 duces deceptive appearances. By the addition of a suitable 

 proportion of picro-carmine to the ammonium picrate a solution 

 is obtained which at the same time fixes the methyl blue, giving the 

 nerve-fibres a brown-violet color, macerates the epithelium, stains the 

 cells light yellow and their nuclei bright red. After treatment with 

 this fluid and mounting in glycerine, light pressure on the cover-glass 

 is sufficient to separate the elments. Preparations in which the cells 

 have not been isolated after maceration show varicose nerve-fibres 

 ramifying over the surface of the taste-bulbs and ending in little tuber- 

 osities around the pore, very much as in Lenhossek's figures (cf. 

 Plate XIV, fig. 7.) After isolation of the elements these fibres are 

 seen to envelop the supporting cells, branching freely and apparently 

 anastomosing, though the latter is not certain. The axial cells or 

 "taste-cells" are similarly enveloped throughout their whole length 

 by varicose fibres which end free at the distal end of the cells. The 

 fibres are plainly strictly superficial and do 7wt enter the cells or their nu- 

 clei. The cell-bodies are not usually colored by the methyl blue 

 so that the course of the fibres can be followed with great distinctness. 

 The cilium of the taste-cell is not colored nor do the free ends of the 

 nerve-fibres extend out beyond the wall of the pore. The fibres en- 

 veloping the axial cells probably come from the N. glossopharyngeus, 

 those belongmg to the superficial cells and the indifferent epithelium 

 from the trigeminus. 



Prof. Arnstein considers his preparations absolutely conclusive as 

 to the nature of the nervous termini in mammalian taste-bulbs and ap- 

 pends to the record of his own observations an excellent historical 

 sketch and critical review of the whole subject. 



Tariations in Spinal Nerves in Aiupliibia. 



Dr. Adolphi has studied the variations in the spinal nerves of 

 amphibia, comparing especially Bufo variabilis, Rana esculenta, and 

 Pelobates fuscus. It appears that there is a definite tendency toward 

 cephalization in the sacral and brachial plexus. Pelobates is more 

 primitive in some respects than the others, for in 20 per cent of the 

 cases the fifth spinal retains its 'connection with the brachial plexus, 

 which is the case in no other anura yet studied. 



The ninth vertebra is the sacral in all anura but in the above 

 cases of Pelobates the tenth also frequently participated in the sacrum. 



"^ Sitzungsb. Nattirf.-Geselhchaft Dorpat., 1892, p. 45. 



I 



