334 THE SPINAL CORD, BY J. GERtACH. 



Besides the fibrous plexus formed of the finest elastic fibres, 

 cellular elements are also found in the finely granular matrix. 

 These are more or less approximated at different points, and 

 exhibit all the transitional forms from a cell nucleus invested 

 by an extremely thin layer of protoplasm (fig. 219, B/) to the 

 fully developed connective-tissue cell with its long processes 

 (fig. 219, B e). After the prolonged action of an extremely 

 dilute solution of carmine and ammonia, the nuclei of these 

 cells, in accordance with the laws of staining of dead tissues, 



Fig. 219. A, Longitudinal section of the white substance of the 

 spinal cord of Man ; a, elastic fibres of the connective tissue ; 6, 

 cellular element of the connective tissue. B, Transverse section of 

 the white substance ; a, axis-cylinder ; b, medullary sheath ; c, hole 

 left by the falling out of a transversely divided nerve fibre ; d, finely 

 granular connective tissue with fine elastic fibres ; e, a fully deve- 

 loped connective tissue cell, with processes ; /, young connective tissue 

 cell, the nucleus of which is surrounded by a very thin layer of pro- 

 toplasm. Magnified 300 diameters. 



become intensely coloured, the protoplasm surrounding the 

 nucleus, and the cell processes, if present, being more faintly but 

 still always distinctly coloured, whilst the fine fibrous plexus 

 remains absolutely free from colour, a fact which lends no 

 small support to my view that this fibrous plexus belongs 

 to the elastic tissues : for it is well known that elastic fibres 

 remain perfectly indifferent to the methodical application of 

 this colouring matter. 



After what has been stated above, it is scarcely possible to 



