STRUCTURE OF THE SCLEROTIC. 459 



different trunks. It is self-evident that their number must be 

 very different in the several regions of the conjunctiva, some- 

 times being relatively small, so that a direct estimate of their 

 number can be effected, and the several elements may be readily 

 followed to their termination. 



Thus, as the result of the several larger fibrils running for 

 long distances with continual subdivision, and their lateral 

 branches repeating this process, a very dense plexus of large 

 and also of extremely fine pale fibres is produced, which 

 gradually extends through the layer of blood capillaries to the 

 inferior surface of the epithelium. The fine fibrils found im- 

 mediately beneath the epithelium have themselves also a very 

 long course, give off innumerable fine branches at acute angles, 

 and ultimately terminate close beneath the plane of the deepest 

 cell layer, where they may easily, in preparations freed from 

 the epithelium to which the account hitherto given applies, 

 be discerned amongst the cells that here and there remain 

 attached. 



Morano* has been engaged for several months, under 

 Strieker's direction, in ascertaining the mode of termination of 

 the nerves of the conjunctiva. The positive results obtained, 

 however, are very few in number. They believe, though 

 they are by no means certain, that they were able to follow 

 the nerves in some instances upwards between the epithelial 

 cells. These researches have, however, rendered it probable 

 that more fortunate microscopists may be able to follow the 

 nerves into the epithelial stratum. 



TUNICA SCLEROTICA. 



The scleroticf is bounded in front by the cornea, whilst pos- 

 teriorly it is separated by a constriction from its continuation, 

 the fibrous sheath of the optic nerve. Where the optic nerve 

 enters the cavity of the sclerotic, the connective tissue investing 

 its fasciculi joins the tissue of the sclerotic. This junction 

 remains even after the optic-nerve fibres have been removed by 



* Centralblatt, April, 1871. 



( Briicke, Anatomische Beschreibung des menschlichen Augapfels, (Ana- 

 tomical description of the human eye.) Berlin, 1847. 



