100 REPORT — 18G7. 



On the Epithelium of the Cornea of the Ox in relation to the Growth of Stra- 

 tified Epithelium. By Professor Clelai\'d, M.D. 



In this communication evidence was brought forward to show that in the epithe- 

 lium of the cornea the cells of the deepest stratum, which are columnar, degenerate 

 and disappear -without becoming more superficial. It was pointed out that next to 

 these columnar cells were others of greater breadth sending in processes between 

 them, and that superticial to these were small cells, many of them with two nuclei, 

 and likewise many free nuclei, and that beyond this stratum the cells became gra- 

 dually larger, flatter, and more solid the nearer they were to the free surface. In con- 

 clusion it was pointed out that although the circumstances of nutrition in the case 

 of the corneal epithelium were too singular to permit our safely assuming that other 

 sti'atified epithelia grev.r in the same manner, yet the facts brought forward were 

 sufficient to show that in these structm-es the deepest cells were not necessarily the 

 youngest, and that cells might be removed from them by other means besides pass- 

 ing to the sm-face. 



On some Points connected tvith the Joints and Ligaments of the Hand. 

 By Professor Cleland, M.D, 



The following were the principal points brought forward : — 



In flexion and extension of the MTist tlie semilunar bone slides backwards and 

 forwards between the scaphoid and cuneiform ; and in over-extension of the wrist 

 it is supported by two ligaments, which descend and converge to be attaclied on 

 its palmar surface, precisely according to the principle by means of which the 

 sacrum is suspended between the haunch-bones. 



In the metacarpo-phalangeal articulations lateral movement is prevented in 

 flexion while it is allowed in extension, by the lateral ligaments taking origin from 

 points nearer the cxtremitv' than the front of the metacarpal bone, and by the distal 

 ends of the metacarpal bones being much broader in front than behind, so that the 

 lateral ligaments are sti'etched over the broad part in flexion. The arrangement 

 gives sti'ength in grasping. 



Strong ligaments, hitherto undescribed, extend from the sides of the phalanges 

 near the phalangeal articulations, and are inserted into the sldn, helping to retain the 

 difl'erent parts of the integument in the positions which they are adapted to occupy. 



Microscopical Preparation of the Kerves of the Cornea. 

 By Professor Cleland, M.D. 



This preparation, which consisted of a considerable portion of the superficial 

 layers of tlie cornea of a sheep, exhibited a perfect network continued from nerves 

 all of which entered at the periphery. Tlie cords of the network, although placed 

 at slightly varying levels, united to form a single stratum ; they appeared to con- 

 sist each of se^•eral fibres." No terminations of nerves could be seen, nor any flbres 

 given oft' from the network, either to the surface or deep parts of the cornea. 



On a new form of Cephalopodous Ova. By Dr. Collingwood, M.A., F.L.8. 



Tliis paper was a description, accompanied by drawings, of a remarkable body, 

 found in the North Atlantic Ocean, consisting of a large number of ova imbedded 

 in a transparent jelly resembling frog's spawn, and floating freely in the sea. The 

 ova proved, on examination, to be those of some species of Cephalopod, but dif- 

 ferent in character from any otlier known form. The author compared it with the 

 described forms deposited bj' Octopus, Sepia, Si'pioteuthus, LoUyo, &c., to none of 

 which it bore any resemblance ; and he exhibited microscopic drawings of the 

 young Cephalopods in \arious stages of development. 



On the Infiuence of Atmospheric Air on Vital Action as tested hy the Air -pump. 



By Jonx Davy, M.D., F.Ii.S. 



In this paper the author described a certain number of experiments, the results 

 of whicli showed how much longer some animals are capable of resisting privation 



