566 



THE EYE 



The epithelium rests directly npon the anterior homogeneous 

 layer. The deeper cells of the epithelium present distinct inter- 



a 



FIG. 418. FROM A MERIDIONAL SECTION OF THE HUMAN CORNEA. 



a, anterior corneal epithelium ; 6, anterior homogeneous membrane ; c, substantia 

 propria ; d, posterior homogeneous membrane ; e, posterior corneal epithelium. Hematein 

 and eosin. Photo, x 180. 



cellular lymphatic spaces and intercellular bridges. Between the 

 cells are the terminal ramifications of nerve fibrils from the plexus 

 in the corneal substance. 



The anterior homogeneous membrane (anterior basal membrane, 

 elastic membrane of Bowman) was formerly thought to consist of 

 elastic tissue, but this supposition is disproved by its ready solubil- 

 ity on boiling (His), as well as by the fact that it does not react 

 typically to the specific stains for this tissue. Bowman's mem- 

 brane is apparently a homogeneous or structureless coat except that 



