358 



THE LENS, BY PROFESSOR BABUCHIN. 



though there is no measurable intervening space between them 



(fig. 371) * 



Fig. 371. 



Fig. 371. Meridianal section through the axis of the lens in Man. 



The anterior layer is composed of flattened polygonal cells, 

 which are as transparent as glass, and when fresh, as in animals 

 that have just been killed, are perfectly structureless. After 

 the lapse of some time, or after treatment with various re- 

 agents, these cells become cloudy, and it then becomes possible 

 to distinguish clearly their contour and their central round or 

 oval nucleus. The cells vary in size in different animals; in 

 Man they measure about 0*032 of a millimeter (Becker). Near 

 the border of the lens they are columnar or almost cylindrical 

 in form, and are arranged perpendicularly to the surface of 

 the lens ; farther on they are still taller, and assume a 

 more oblique position, inclining with their inner ends towards 

 the anterior surface of the lens; they at the same time 

 become more conical, their broad basis being turned towards 



* All the illustrations accompanying this essay have been drawn by 

 Sernoff, from his own preparations. 



