IV. 



THE LYMPHATICS OF THE EYE. 

 BY G. SCHWALBE. 



THE lymph formed in the tissues of the eye is discharged from 

 them in three directions. That portion which proceeds from 

 the iris and ciliary processes -collects in the anterior chamber 

 of the eye, and finds its point of exit through the canal of 

 Schlemm. With this system the canal of Petit is in direct 

 communication; and these passages, together with the lymph- 

 atics of the conjunctiva and the canalicular plexus of the cornea, 

 may be termed the anterior lymphatic system of the eye. All 

 those parts of the globe that are situated behind the ciliary 

 body discharge their lymph by two other tracts ; the lymph 

 proceeding from the choroid and sclerotic escaping at the 

 points of emergence of the vense vorticosa from the bulb, and 

 that from the retina quite independently by a tract within the 

 nervus opticus. The two last-named tracts may be collectively 

 regarded as constituting the posterior lymphatic system of the 

 globe ; and with these we may include still another lymphatic 

 space which exists between the two optic sheaths. 



1. THE POSTERIOR LYMPHATIC SYSTEM OF THE EYE. 



A. The Canals for the discharge of the Lymph formed in the 

 Choroid and Sclerotic. 



The lymphatics of the proper tissue of the sclerotic are deve- 

 loped to no greater an extent than are those of the vascular 

 choroid. The lymph formed in these membranes passes into 

 two large lacuniform spaces which are in direct communica- 



