60 A. B. MACULLUM. 
The superficial layer is composed of cells cubical or flattened 
with the outer, and often the lateral walls, remarkably thick- 
ened. Indeed, this thickening is not confined to the superficial 
cells but also occurs in those immediately under them (fig. 
2,d). It seems to be due to a horny deposit brought about 
by degradation of the cellular contents, and it sometimes 
takes a granular form which disappears after a treatment 
with acids. 
Between the basal cells and between most of the cells of the 
intermediate layers, one can distinguish, in chromic acid pre- 
parations, the intercellular bridges. These have completely 
disappeared from the superficial cells. Very often on treat- 
ment with gold chloride the fluid circulating between the 
bridges in the intercellular passages is coagulated in the form 
of minute bluish droplets. These droplets are lost when the 
cells are isolated. 
The corium on which the epithelium directly rests is a thin 
membrane formed of a fibro-gelatinous substance, the arrange- 
ment of the fibrille, when they can be determined, being 
parallel to the general surface. There are no cellular or nuclear 
elements which pertain properly to it, although corpuscles of 
connective tissue situated below the membrane sometimes 
appear to be closely connected with it. Such cellular elements 
as are usually seen in the membrane are amceboid corpuscles 
on their way to or from the epithelium. At the time that 
resorption of the tail commences the fibrille of the membrane 
tend to separate widely and give then all the appearances of 
the adult corium. 
V.—Tue Nerve TERMINATIONS. 
The figures of Eberth are to be found in all the layers of 
the epithelium, although only exceptionally in the superficial 
one. The reagent which serves to show them best is nigrosine 
which gives them an intensely dark-blue colour. When a 
section is thus stained, one can sometimes see the figures as 
minute beads in the superficial cells. Those of largest size 
and oddest shape are to be found in the basal cells, but they 
