NERVES IN VOLUNTARY MUSCLE. 



255 



1863, vol. 153, page 543, PL XXXVIII, fig. 29. These fine 

 fibres at length ramify in and help to form the peripheral 

 nerve network figured in this drawing. " Croonian 

 Lecture." Proceedings, R.S., 1865. 



The bioplasts of the dark-bordered fibres as well as 

 those of the terminal networks are represented. The peri- 

 pheral networks of fine compound fibres are well seen, and 

 the numerous interlacements constantly observed in all peri- 

 pheral nerve networks are given. The nerves are not formed 

 by threads which grow away from a centre, and the ends of 

 which turn round the tissues which they are to influence. 

 But the peripheral ramifications, like the centres themselves, 

 result from gradual changes in nerve bioplasm, which was 

 from the first, situated very near to the bioplasm taking 

 part in the formation of the tissue, which is at length in- 

 fluenced by the nerves. In fact, the peripheral ramifications 

 of nerves, like nerve centres, are gradually developed as a 

 whole. But, supposing it were possible for us to construct 

 such an apparatus, the arrangement which we desired the 

 nerves should ultimately assume would have to be deter- 

 mined before a single nerve fibre was constructed. 



Distribution of Nerves to Voluntary Muscle. In 

 PI. XIV, I have given a drawing taken from a beautiful 

 specimen of muscular tissue, in which the ultimate ramifica- 

 tions of the nerve fibres are very clearly demonstrated. 

 Many points here illustrated have long been and are still 

 disputed by anatomists. Some think the motor nerves pass 

 into the substance of the muscular fibres, others that they 

 are connected with special organs embedded in and in close 

 contact with the muscular tissue, but, at least as regards the 

 particular muscles represented, I feel sure that the arrange- 



