ATLAS OF NERVE CELLS 



Plate XXVII. shows a second variety of cell found only in the ventral nucleus of the 

 optic thalamus, and hitherto undescribed. These cells are placed quite regularly at definite 

 distances from one another, so that the nucleus presents a very different appearance under 

 the microscope from other parts of the thalamus, in which irregular distribution of the cells is 

 the rule. These cells are very large, from 50 to 60 p, in diameter. They have a large body, 

 irregular in shape, polygonal as a rule, never fusiform, and from this body numerous dendrites 

 are given off in all directions. These dendrites are very slender in comparison with the size 

 of the cell, but are very long. They appear to take a tortuous course, and branch less freely 

 than the dendrites of the stellate cells. Some of the dendrites are seen to possess the furry 

 surface, which is most marked in the Purkinje cell branches. But there is no uniformity in 

 the direction of these dendrites. The neuraxon, one of which is well shown coming off from 

 the lower side of the cell in the upper right corner of the plate, passes out of the body of the 

 cell on any one of its sides, and gives off few collaterals. There is no uniform direction in 

 the course of the neuraxons of these cells. 



