THE OPTIC THALAMUS 55 



Plate XXVI. shows a cluster of large stellate cells from the lateral nucleus of the thal- 

 amus. They are about 50 /A in diameter. They resemble in appearance the medium-sized cells 

 of the median nucleus, but are distinctly larger. They are to be found scattered irregularly 

 throughout the lateral nucleus ; but a special group of these cells appears to be constant in 

 its inner part, near the dorsal part of the median nucleus. These stellate cells are, however, 

 found along the free margin of the thalamus, m the tuberculum anterius and in the pulvinar, 

 and also occasionally single cells are seen in the internal capsule among the fibres. The 

 neuraxon is difficult to follow and may come off on any side of the cell. It takes a very 

 devious course. Marchi affirms that there are to be found both of the Golgi types of cell in 

 the thalamus. It has not been possible for me to confirm this statement, as the difficulties 

 in the way of following the neuraxons for any distance are insuperable. 



