THE PROPER TISSUE OF THE CORNEA. 375 



somewhat different appearance is presented at the periphery, 

 in consequence of the projection of sinuous fibres of what 

 appears to be the matrix proceeding from the deeper layers 

 towards the epithelium, from whence they again return (fibrse 

 arcuatae; supporting fibres; Stutzfasern of Henle).* In the 

 cornese of certain animals, as, for example, of the Ox, this 

 arrangement is constant in all parts of the cornea. 



In the thin cornea of small animals, as in that of the Frog, 

 the same sequence of layers may also be observed, if the cornea 

 be removed by cutting round its margin with a sharp pair of 



Fig. 378. 



Fig. 378. Layers of the cornea of the Frog, as seen in a fold of the 

 tissue lying in aqueous humour, a b, External epithelium ; b c, tissue 

 of the cornea proper ; d, membrane of Descemet ; e, endothelium of 

 the latter. 



scissors, and its folds are then examined under the microscope 

 in aqueous humour. The appearances presented are seen in 

 fig. 378. 



The minute anatomy of the several layers of the cornea just 

 alluded to must now be described in detail. 



THE TISSUE OF THE CORNEA PROPER. 



The proper tissue of the cornea belongs to the group of con- 

 nective tissues, cells, and fasciculi of fibrils ; the latter, travers- 

 ing the cornea in various directions, constitute its microscopic 

 elements, together with peculiarly formed cavities in which 



* Loc. cit., p. G04. 



