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III. — On the Apparent Relation of Nerve to Connective-tissue. 

 Corpuscles, &c., in the Frog-Tadpole's Tail. 



By K. L. Maddox, M.D., H.F.K.M.S. 



Plates XXVIII. axd XXIX. 



Last year I recorded in tlie pages of the ' Monthly Microscopical 

 Journal ' (vol. viii., p. 101), a few of many experiments made on the 

 common Frog-tadpole, to try and preserve the tissues without much 

 loss or change in their natural appearance ; not only for the pur- 

 pose of ordinary observation, but also for photomicrography. This 

 year the experiments were renewed in different ways, yet on the 

 whole, since mounting, the preparations do not appear very satis- 

 factory. Some of the specimens prepared after the previously de- 

 scribed plans, especially 6 and 8, kept very fahly, others not as 

 well, the tissues softening much in the acetate of potash ; it is feared 

 this mounting medium was rather strongly alkahne. 



The purpose of the present communication is to note the appear- 

 ance of the apparent connection of some of the nerve branches with 

 the connective-tissue corpuscles, also a fine network of rather large 

 meshes, situated upon and near to one of the cutaneous gland cells, &c. 



A careful examination of a very large number of specimens, 

 mounted after various methods of staining and preparing, was made 

 for the purpose of endeavouring to satisfy myself, whether any inti- 

 mate relation could be found between any of the small branches of the 

 cutaneous nerves and the connective-tissue corpuscles in the tail of 

 the tadpole, as I beheve is stated by Eberth, and as has been pointed 

 out to exist between these two tissues in the cornea, by Kuhne, and 

 verified by Moseley, who gives figures of the same in the ' Quarterly 

 Journal of Microscopical Science,' vol. xi., p. 262. 



Three different examples were remarked by myself where there 

 appeared at least if not fusion, a very close union. The largest and 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES XXVIII. AND XXIX. 



Plate XXVIII. 

 Fig. 1. — Shows a nerve branch of a considerable size, forming union, if not real 

 fusion, with a large elongated connective-tissue corpuscle ; several 

 vessels, connective-tissue corpuscles, pigment cell, and cutaneous gland, 

 are given to show the general relations. 



Plate XXIX. 

 Fig. 2. — Towards the top of the figure a nerve branch is seen passing apparently 

 through the body of a connective-tissue corpuscle. 

 ,, 3. — A nerve network lying upon and close to a cutaneous gland cell, 

 jj 4. — A delicate subepithelial nerve network, with two small connective- 

 tissue corpuscles lying between the larger nerves ; and a pigment cell 

 to the riglit hand." In the branches of the fine network is seen a ^mall 

 ovoid cell, the distinct relation of which to the fine branches could not 

 be sa tisfactorily determined. 



