300 ARRANGEMENT OP NERVES DISTRIBUTED TO VESSELS. 



the muscle is in great part composed, possesses the 

 property of contraction when it is removed from the 

 muscle. Unless this was the case no influence could 

 be produced upon muscular tissue through nervous 

 agency. 



Until very recently, it was concluded that the 

 arteries might contract independently of nervous in- 

 fluence, and indeed, up to this very time, the most 

 confused ideas prevail upon the subject. 



Kolliker made the remarkable statement that 

 some of the arteries are destitute of nerves, and that 

 the walls of arteries are not in such need of nerves 

 as is usually supposed. But Eberth, in Strieker's 

 ' Handbook,' just published, says, "with the exception 

 of the capillaries " the presence of nerves has been 

 demonstrated in (upon) all vessels, but remarks that 

 he has not been able to convince himself of the pre- 

 cise mode in which they terminate, especially as 

 regards the muscular fibres of the arteries and veins. 

 It is some years since I was led to the conclusion that 

 all forms of muscle are supplied by nerve-fibres, and 

 I am convinced that every small artery possesses nerve 

 networks even in those instances in which I have 

 myself failed to demonstrate the nerves ; and it may 

 now be regarded as certain, not only that all forms of 

 muscle are supplied with nerves, but that these nerves 

 form terminal networks and originate in ganglia. 



Arrangement of the Nerves distributed to Vessels. 



3O3. Distribution of nerves to the arteries of the 

 frog. In the external areolar coat of the larger 

 arteries, numerous networks and plexuses of nerve- 

 fibres may be demonstrated with facility, and in con- 

 nection with the ramifications of the vessels of the 

 thorax and abdomen, ganglia, and ganglion cells are 

 to be demonstrated in great numbers. (Phil. Trans.) 

 These points may be made out without difficulty in 



