THE GUSTATORY ORGANS. 



159 



The cells which compose the taste-bud are of two kinds, viz. : 

 1. The gustatory cells (fig. 188, a), which are delicate fusiform or 

 bipolar cells composed of the cell-body or nucleated enlargement, and 

 of two processes, one distal, the other proximal. The distal process is 



FIG. 187. SECTION THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF A TASTE-BUD. (Eanvier.) 



p, gustatory pore ; s, gustatory cell ; r, sustentacular cell ; m, lymph cell, containing fatty 

 granules ; e, sup3rficial cells of the stratified epithelium : n, nerve-fibres. 



nearly straight, and passes towards the apex of the taste-bud, where it 

 terminates in a small, highly refracting cilium-like appendage, which 

 projects into the pore above mentioned. The proximal process is more 



FIG. 188. VARIOUS CELLS FROM TASTE-BUD OF RABBIT. (Engelmann.) 

 (600 diameters.) 



four gustatory cells from central part ; 6, two sustentacular cells, and one gustatory cell, in 

 connection ; c, three sustentacular cells. 



icate than the other, and is often branched and varicose ; it is 

 ieved to be directly connected with a nerve-fibre. In such case, 



