396 THE CORNEA, BY ALEXANDER ROLLETT. 



albuminous bodies contained in the above-mentioned extracts all is 

 removed that is disintegrated, when, after the addition of perman- 

 ganate of potash, the so-called Xantho-proteinic acid reaction in the 

 cornea is no longer visible. 



The fibrils of the corneal tissue are extremely fine (being at 

 most O'OOOl of a millimeter in thickness), and are arranged in 

 thin ribbon-like fasciculi, the flat surfaces of which in most 

 parts of the cornea either run parallel or nearly parallel to the 

 surfaces of the cornea. In these parts of the cornea the bands 

 lie superimposed on one another in thin laminae. The direction 

 of the fibrils in the successive layers varies, decussating in 

 various directions, and often completely at right angles (fig. 382). 

 The several layers superimposed upon one another are con- 

 Fig. 382. 



Fig. 382. Two decussating fasciculi of the cornea ; from the Ox, 

 treated with permanganate of potash. 



nected together by means of fibrils, which pass from one 

 fasciculus to another, and in some places effect a very intimate 

 union between them. 



Near the external surface of the cornea, and earlier in some 

 animals than in Man, the fasciculi are inclined towards the free 

 surface, closely interweave with each other, and in vertical 

 sections of the cornea are seen to pursue the most diverse 

 course (fig. 383). The fibres exposed in such sections in their 

 length have, on account of their sinuous course as they pass 



* Engelmann, loc. cit., p. 1. 



