210 



S I' KC I A L II I STO 1,0 (J Y. 



cells, without fat or pigment-granules. In their cavity, which is, how- 

 ever, not, always distinct, tln-y sumei inie.< contain ;i dear iluid, some- 

 times ;L small quantity of finely-granulated substance. 



rig. as, 



72. The Cerumen of the ear is commonly considered to be the 

 secretion of these glands, though this is only partially correct. If wo 

 examine the yellow or brownish, soft or more solid, viscid substance 

 which is formed within the cartilaginous meatus, it is found to contain 

 various constituents: independently of a few hairs, occasionally an 

 Ai'tirnx folliculonnn, and epidermic cells in various numbers, there 

 occur, 1. Very many cells completely filled with pale fatty matter of 

 0-009-0*02 of a line, usually of an oval, flattened, irregular shape ; in 

 which, on the addition of water, or still better of caustic soda, the fat 

 is separated in isolated, round, or irregular dark drops. 2. Much free 

 fatty matter in the form of pale, small yellowish round drops, which, on the 

 addition of water, appear as dark .spherical granules, from an immeasurable 

 minuteness up to 0-002 of a lino and more ; and it is only upon this addition 

 that they become quite distinct, but at the same time are decolorized. 



FlQ. 83. r TJI. mli.Milur section through the sldn of the external auditory meatus; 

 a, corium ; ft, slrniuin Matyighnj c, horny layer of the epidermis; rf, coil of the ci'inminons 

 Clauds; r, ihrir oxrrrtory ducts ;/, their nprrtinvs ; j;, li:iir--;i.'s ; /;, M-|I;UV.>HS glands of the 



meatus ; t, masses of Ait. Magnified 20 diameters. 



