126 SKIN AND ITS APPENDAGES. 



properties of flexibility, elasticity, and retractility. It also 

 possesses considerable contractility, as seen in what is 

 called the goose flesh, and in the scrotum, nipples, &c., and 

 which seems to depend upon some reddish fibres, seen im- 

 mediately beneath the dermoid tissue, having a contractile 

 property and resembling involuntary muscle. 



The cutis-vera contains an immense number of blood ves- 

 sels, nerves and lymphatics, which ramify through its sub- 

 stance and appear upon its surface, and by some these are 

 considered a distinct layer, under the name of the vascular 

 retiform layer and the papillae, though not generally 

 regarded as a distinct and separate structure. The external 

 surface of the cutis-vera has numerous elevations or pro- 

 jections, called papillae, which are very distinct on the 

 extremities of the fingers and toes, and on the palms of 

 the hands and soles of the feet. On the fingers these pa- 

 pillae present the form of arched or concentric rows. These 

 rows are separated by longitudinal and transverse fissures, 

 which it is said give passage to the perspiratory ducts. 



The microscope reveals the papillae to consist of blood 

 vessels and nerves, connected by cellular tissue, and ter- 

 minating in loops. The nerves are seen without neuri- 

 lemma, and the blood vessels, according to Beclard, have 

 an erectile disposition. These papillae, wherever situated, 

 are the seat of sensibility, and those upon the ends of the 

 fingers, called tactile papillae, are the especial agents of the 

 sense of touch. Though the nerves of the papillae have 

 been said to terminate in loops, yet it is proper to say 

 that some most respectable anatomists assert that they be- 

 come so soft and fine that it cannot be determined whether 

 they end in loops, plexuses or soft bulbs. The organic 

 element of the cutis vera is principally gelatin. 



The rete-mucosum is the next layer in order, and covers 

 the outer or papillary surface of the cutis. It is a very 

 soft substance, and can be raised in a distinct layer, though 

 with difficulty, after maceration. M. Galtier makes it to 

 consist of as many as four separate laminae, the middle 

 one being the seat of color. The most recent micro- 



