1894.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 137 



the cut two sets of fibres are shown, one the vertical are 

 cut lengthwise in a vertical section and exhibit their 

 length in the field of view. The others, transverse ones, 

 are cut cross-wise and only the ends of the fibres are to 

 be seen. In other parts of a section still other sets of 

 fibres, those running lengthwise, would appear. The 

 length of the fibre is not shown in the section and rarely 

 if ever can be seen in sections, but the breadth is shown 

 and can be measured by the scale shown in the figure, a 

 fibre is thus seen to be less than one one-thousandth of an 

 inch in diameter. The relation of the fibres to their vas- 

 cular supply is also shown in the figure. The main ar- 

 tery is seen in the level next to the dermis, from it arti- 

 cles branch out in two directions, one set running up into 

 the papillfe of the dermis, and the others to the muscle 

 fibres, where their capillaries follow the length of the 

 fibres so that all parts are in close relation to the supply 

 of nutriment. The distribution of the blood to the sets 

 of fibres or fibre bundles is shown in the cross-section of 

 the bundle. If the section were to show all the parts of 

 an organ it would include a view of a nerve fibre running 

 to and terminating in one of the fibres. The tongue is 

 one of the best objects on which to study the histology 

 of striped muscle, for here the fibres are not so compactly 

 arranged as they are in a muscle of the skeletal system. 

 The surface of the tongue is covered with a layer which 

 is clearly divided into two parts, the upper is clear, nearly 

 transparent in section and does not stain deeply if at all 

 and this is also completely destitute of capillary blood 

 vessels, and a layer below this which is the vascular layer 

 and is composed of rounded cells with more decided af- 

 finity for carmine. The blood vessels in the deeper layer 

 are derived from large trunks which are clearly visible 

 in the stratum beneath the skin, and run up in the form 

 of loops which are vertical to the horizontal supply ves- 

 sels underneath. In somp cases the capillaries are not 



