CH. XXXVIII.] 



THE SKIN. 



571 



into horny material (keratin) is taking place. In the first of 

 these that is, the one next to the Malpighian layer, the cells 

 are flattened, and filled with large granules of eleidin, an inter- 

 mediate substance in the formation of horn. This layer is called 

 the stratum yranulosum. 



Above this are several layers of clear, more rounded cells, 

 which constitute the stratum lucidum ; and above this the horny 



Fig. 440. Vertical section of the epidermis of the prepuce, a, stratum cqrneum, of very 

 few layen, the strata 

 sented; 6, c, </. and 

 cellx in layen / and 

 cells ; g, cells in cutis vera. (Cadiat.) 



layer proper, many strata deep, begins. The cells become more 

 .mil iiim-f sc.ily as they approach the surface, where they lose 

 their nuclei and eventually become detached. 



The epidermis grows by a multiplication of the deepest layer 

 of cells (fig. 440, e) ; the newly-formed cells push towards the 

 surface those previously formed, in their progress undergoing the 

 transformation into keratin. 



The epidermis 1ms n<> l.l<>u<l vessels ; nerve-fibrils pass into its 

 deepest layers, and ramify between the cells. 



The Dennis is composed of dense fibrous tissue, which becomes 



