218 SPECIAL HISTOLOGY. 



epithelium consisting of several layers, and constituted of small 

 nucleated cells, without fat or pigment granules. In their 

 cavity, which is, however, not always distinct, they sometimes 

 contain a clear fluid, sometimes a small quantity of finely- 

 granulated substance. 



& 



§ 72. 



The Cerumen of the ear is commonly considered to be the 

 secretion of these glands, though this is only partially correct. 

 If we examine the yellow or brownish, soft or more solid, viscid 

 substance which is formed within the cartilaginous meatus, it 

 is found to contain various constituents : independently of a few 

 hairs, occasionally an Acarus folliculorum, and epidermic cells in 

 various numbers, there occur, — I. Very many cells completely 

 filled with pale fatty matter of O009 — O02"', usually of an oval, 

 flattened, irregular shape; in which, on the addition of water, 

 or still better of caustic soda, the fat is separated in isolated, 

 round, or irregular dark drops. 2. Much free fatty matter in 

 the form of pale, small yellowish round drops, which, on the 

 addition of water, appear as dark spherical granules, from an 

 immeasurable minuteness up to 0*002" and more ; and it is 

 only upon this addition that they become quite distinct, but at 

 the same time are decolorised. 3. Yellow or brownish granules 

 and masses of granules, free or rarely in cells, few upon the 

 whole. 4. Lastly, when the secretion is more fluid, also a 

 small quantity of a clear liquid. I consider that the first-named 

 cells belong to the sebaceous secretion of the external meatus; 

 but that the remainder is the secretion of the ceruminous 

 glands, which would therefore eliminate oily fluid with scattered 

 brown granules. This being the case, the analysis by Berzelius 

 of the common ear-wax, a mixture of the sebaceous and proper 

 ceruminous secretion, must only be admitted with caution. 

 In my opinion, the brownish-yellow bitter substance, soluble 

 in alcohol and water, found by him, and the pale yellow strong 

 tasted extractive matter, hardly soluble in water and not at all 

 in alcohol, must be attributed to the ceruminous glands; the 

 remaining fat, the horny matter, and probably also most of the 

 albumen, to the sebaceous glands ; whilst the relations of the 

 isalts must, of course, be left undetermined. 



