568 _ MICROSCOPY. 
of their contractile powers?” He inclined to agree with Dr, Beale 
that nerves did not enter those epithelial tissues where the epithe- 
lium is continuously thrown off, as they would then be unfa- 
vorably exposed. 
Mr. Stewart had examined Dr. Klein’s specimens and was 
convinced of the “ existence of a fine plexus of nerves between 
the cells of the conjunctival epithelium, directly continuous with 
the coarser plexus of nerves situated in the middle layer of the 
cornea.” In reference to the close analogy between nerve force 
and electricity, and the influence of the former on the circulation, 
he instanced the fact that if an electric current be passed through 
a capillary tube filled with water, the water will flow out: elec- 
tric currents also influenced the passage of fluids through dialyzing 
membranes. 
Dr. Lawson thought that our views of microscopical anatomy 
had been very much advanced by Dr. Beale’s paper. In experi- 
menting on the effect of certain substances on the capillary circu- 
lation of the frog, he had always reached the results shown by Dr. 
Beale — “ that the effect on the blood vessels was due entirely to the 
action of the nerves, and not to the influence of the substance 
employed in the experiment.” . 
Mr. Hogg valued Dr. Beale’s treatment of the nerves of the 
capillaries, because microscopists had not hitherto been able to dis- 
cover any contractile power in the walls of the capillaries nor to 
settle the question of the cause of the circulation through the cap- 
illaries. Dr. Beale believed that the nerves acted rather on the 
muscular fibres than on the walls of the capillaries. He Nes 
think, however, that the action was directly upon the cap pF | 
vessels. In the cornea the nerves probably exist for the sua : 
of preventing the entrance of blood into its structure. tigt 
Dr. Leared thought Dr. Beale’s views would throw some ak k 
on the question of sleep, and the action of such drugs aS bio : 
of potassium, which probably exert their power by controlling thë 
cerebral circulation. ee ; 
Dr. Beale explained, and stated his adherence to, his ae : 
statement of doubt, whether the nerves acted directly on ati jn 
laries or the elementary cells of secreting glands. He e the 
positive that the statement that the nuclei always belong e 
sheath was a mistake, as in many of his specimens nuclei a 
demonstrated in hosts of fine nerves, which came off sai 
i 
