THE ORGANS OF SENSE. 245 



higher and higher (^). To the inner side of the inner pillar 

 of the Cortian organ is applied a long cylinder cell, which is 

 covered at the free upper border with short hairs it). This 

 is the " inner hair cell " of Deiters. The " outer hair cells " 

 {p, q, r), which are also obliquely directed, adhere in three or 

 fourfold rows to the outer pillars of this Cortian tunnel. Fur- 

 ther outwards occur spindle-shaped elements, " supporting 

 cells " of Hensen (s), and then, gradually becoming flattened, 

 lower cubical epithelial cells. 



The supports of the inner and outer pillars lock into each 

 other in a quite peculiar form. From this point is developed 

 an extremely remarkable horizontally extended membrane, 

 the lamina velamentosa of Deiters (/, /). It is impossible to 

 describe here the marvelous reticular structure. 



Where do the primitive fibrillae of the cochlear nerves end ? 

 Freed at last from the confinement of the lamina spiralis ossea, 

 it passes between the inner pillars in the tunnel of the Cortian 

 organ. They are said to have previously become partially 

 lost in the inner hair cells. They now terminate in the outer 

 hair cells (zv). Notwithstanding the infinite pains and labor 

 bestowed on this subject, it still stands on a weak foundation. 



