244 MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY OF THE TEETH 



is, however, frequently seen. He considers that this dicho- 

 tomous branching (fig. 124) represents the ' real branching 

 of the protoplasmic dentinal fibres formed by the fusion 

 together of the dentine processes of the young odontoblasts 

 so as to form a single process ', and that they have no 

 similarity to the very delicate connecting branches between 

 the dentinal tubules (shown in figs. 147, &c.) ; these 

 he considers are not lateral outgrowths of the dentinal 

 fibril, but are the remains of the uncalcified ground substance 



_ FIG. 148. Branching of dentinal tubes (pyridin and silver). ( x250.) 



or matrix of the dentine. A glance at the illustrations in 

 the present work will, we think, afford convincing proof 

 that these fine branches are connected with the dentinal 

 tubes and emanate from them. In the specimens shown 

 in Rose's figures the dentinal tubes only show short stunted 

 branches, the Golgi method of staining not having brought 

 out the finer extensions. 1 He further says, ' We look in vain 

 for these connecting branches in sections of decalcified dentine, 

 though the true terminal branches of the dentinal tubules 

 are all the more distinct '. The specimens here shown are, 



1 As stated elsewhere, the author considers that the method of Golgi, 

 excellent as it is for many tissues, is not applicable to the study of dentine. 



