96 PKOGKESS OF MICROSCOPICAL SCIENCE. 



larger number are round or ovoid, some are semi-mussel shaped, a 

 few almost bacilliform ; many are compounds of two, most are single 

 granules. All give a black cross with considerable distinctness by 

 jjolarized light. The cortical layers are chiefly remarkable for the 

 liber fibres which constitute the China grass of commerce, and the 

 small sphferaphides that accompany these linearly. The liber cells 

 are, as shown long since by Quekett, very much stouter than those of 

 flax, and are easily to be distinguished from them by means of a power 

 of 300 or 400 diameters, the transverse markings in the two fibres 

 being very different. The China grass fibres are very tough, their 

 walls are considerably thickened, but they have a large central cavity 

 filled with a mixture of gummy and proteinaceous matter. The result 

 of this is that when the fibres are exposed to moisture after being dried 

 then the contents absorb moisture, the fibres expand laterally and 

 contract longitudinally, so that if they be woven into a fabric the 

 chances are the fabric puckers in a very disagreeable fashion. This 

 is certain to be the case if the fibres be mixed with wool as in certain 

 Bradford manufactures. China grass fibres, however, will doubtless 

 come into use provided a machine can be invented by which they can 

 be economically removed from the hard woody stem. This latter will 

 probably be utilized in the paper manufacture, and some mechanico- 

 chemical means that will preserve the fibres uninjured whilst preparing 

 the pleurenchyma for the paper-maker will probably be discovered one 

 of these days. The other cortical cells do not require any notice. 

 Their contents are chiefly what Mr. Sorby calls endochrome, granular 

 matters of uncertain composition, and the small sphaeraphides already 

 referred to. These latter are almost certainly an impure oxalate of 

 lime. The endochrome chiefly consists of yellow xanthophyll. Blue 

 chlorophyll and, probably, small quantities of lichno-xanthine, passing 

 by deoxidation into a j)inkish-brown chromule, colouring the bark 

 cells. 



The Etiology of Madura-foot. — The 'Indian Medical Gazette' 

 says it has recently received a pamphlet on this subject from Dr. H. 

 Vandyke Carter,* but after careful study of its contents has not been 

 able to alter its opinion in the slightest degree. " This pamphlet and 

 its accompanying plate may, we presume, be taken as an epitome of 

 the author's previous writings and drawings in connection with this 

 malady, doubtless embodying also the experience gained dm-ing the 

 dozen years or so which have transpired since his views were first 

 placed before the profession. 



" These views are so well known that it is scarcely necessary to 

 refer to them at any great length. Suffice it to say that Dr. Carter 

 believes that he has shown that the disease is caused by a distinct 

 fungus — a peculiar red mould, which has not been seen except in 

 connection with Madura-foot. This mould was first observed by Dr. 

 Vandyke Carter in May, 1861, ' upon part of a diseased foot which had 

 been placed in water for maceration The next occasion of its 



* "The Parasitic Fungus of Mycetoma." By H. Vandyke Carter, M.D.— 

 ' Transactions, Pathological Society of London,' 1872-3. 



