1891.] Suspensory Ligament of the Crystalline Lens, fyc. 141 



membrane with a thin centre and thick periphery. Under the micro- 

 scope it is structureless. On removal it, of course, stains deeply, and 

 thus can be readily examined. 



When one attempts to raise it outwards towards the hyaloid mem- 

 brane and suspensory ligament, one may succeed as far as the origin 

 of the suspensory ligament, but behind this point it is so firmly 

 adherent to the vitreous substance that it cannot be raised. 



The notion of a membrane in front of the vitreous is supported by 

 the behaviour of the vitreous body with its investing membranes 

 intact in water ; it will remain many days with its form quite un- 

 changed, and during all this time it may be handled without injur- 

 ing it. But if the membranes be cut so as to expose the vitreous 

 substance to the action of the water, this substance protrudes and has 

 a cloud-like outline very different from the sharp, definite outline or 

 surface at the uninjured anterior face of the vitreous body where still 

 covered by membrane. Now there is never any of this cloud-like 

 indefinite outline or surface at the uninjured anterior face of the 

 vitreous body. I infer, therefore, that it is not vitreous substance 

 that here comes into contact with the water, but that it is a mem- 

 brane that is not notably acted on by water. 



After all these facts and considerations, I cannot doubt that there 

 is in the perfectly fresh unaltered eye a membranous structure 

 behind the posterior layer of the lens capsule, and that this structure 

 has all the properties of a distinct membrane resembling the hyaloid, 

 but differing in many respects from vitreous substance. 



I need say nothing here as to the immense importance in many 

 questions of ophthalmological practice of a definite knowledge of the 

 existence or non-existence of a membrane limiting the vitreous body 

 anteriorly. 



[Note added January 15, 1891. Since the above was sent in, I 

 have had an opportunity of examining a series of sections of the 

 entire human eyeball, made by Dr. Sheridan Delepine, and in all of 

 these sections the membrane is distinctly seen in situ.] 



IV. "On the Connexion between the Suspensory Ligament of 

 the Crystalline Lens and the Lens Capsule." By T. P. 

 ANDERSON STUART, M.D., Professor of Physiology in the 

 University of Sydney, N.S.W. Communicated by Professor 

 SCHAFER, F.R.S. Received January 12, 1891. 



I have not been able to get a too precise statement as to the nature 

 of this connexion, but Quain (9th ed.) says the suspensory ligament 

 is "firmly attached" to the capsule; in another place Quain says it 

 'joins " it. Speaking of " suspensory fibres of the lens," Quain says 



