OP STEIATED MUSCULAE FIBEE. 109 



which have been maintained by these distinguished observers. There is, however, one 

 point on which I would venture to express an opinion differing somewhat from that 

 held by Professor Kolliker, though the question is of comparatively minor importance ; 

 and instead of regarding, with him, each fibre as a single many-nucleated cell, I should be 

 disposed to consider it as a structure representing a series of many potential cells*, which 

 have, however, never separated, their division after the multiplication of their nuclei 

 having been prevented by the fibrillation longitudinally (as shown by striation) of a 

 portion of their contents, while the sarcolemma would thus represent the united mem- 

 branes of many cells which have been engaged in the formation of the fibre. This 

 view may suggest that of Schwann's f, of which it may be regarded as a modification; 

 but the difierences between his descriptions (in which he represents a fibre as formed by 

 the fusion of a series of preexistent and independent cell-structures) and mine will be at 

 once apparent. Of course, when a fibre, as in the early stages, contains only one nucleus, 

 it must then be regarded as a single cell. With regard to the opinions entertained by 

 Mabgo J, that the growth of muscular fibre is due to the fusion of spindle-shaped cells, 

 it is one which for a long time I was disposed to entertain ; and figures may often be 

 obtained in breaking up the fibres of sheep of 3 or 4 inches in length, after hardening in 

 chromic acid, which would seem strongly to support this view. Such appearances are, 

 however, I believe, due to three causes. In the first place, fibres in very diffisrent stages 

 of development lie frequently in close apposition, and when partially separated, the less 

 mature fibre may often look like a portion of a broader and more fully formed one. 

 Secondly, under the same circumstances nuclei with a portion of the sarcolemma may 

 be detached from the surface of the fibre, and, when hanging from it, may present 

 a great resemblance to spindle-shaped cells. Thirdly, capillaries developing on the 

 external surface of the fibres have a most deceptive resemblance to long spindle-shaped 

 cells, into which indeed they can sometimes be broken up. It also militates very 

 strongly against this view that, in tearing up adult muscles hardened in chromic acid, 

 the nuclei are never found in connexion with the fibrillse, but are always separated as 

 distinct bodies ; often with a little granular matter around them, the remains of the 

 original cell-contents by which they are surrounded within the sarcolemma. Of any 

 spindle-shaped bodies or anastomoses from processes given off from the nuclei within 

 the sai'colemma which have been described by some later observers §, I have seen nothing 

 either in adult or in fcetal muscles. 



It would, however, be out of my province in this place to attempt a criticism of the 

 labours of the very numerous writers || upon this subject, or to show wherein the views 



* Though this may appear almost a truism, yet I think it a consideration of some importance in relation to 

 some of the piathological processes affecting muscle. 



t Microscopical llesearches, Syd. Soc. Trans, p. 137. J Quoted by Kollikee, Gewebelehre, ed. 1863. 



§ Leydig, Miiller's Arch. 1856 ; Welckee, Zeit. Eat. Med. \iii. ; Boi;ncHEE, Yirch. Arch. xiii. ; Sczelkow, 

 Virch. Arch. xix. 



II See Kollikee's Gewebelehre, ed. 1862. 

 MDCCCLXVI. B 



