No. 634] ORAL MEMBRANES OF GLAUCOMA 433 



rapidity for a few seconds, then flutter slowly, then close 

 for a second or two, and then begin slowly to beat again. 

 From experiments which have been made the conclusion 

 is drawn that the rate of the beating of the oral mem- 

 branes in Glaucoma is directly proportional to the 

 strength of the food stimulus received in the buccal cav- 

 ity, or possibly through the cilia in the region of the 

 mouth. 



The lips do not open and close with their ectal edges 

 parallel. The process of closing takes place with a wave- 

 like motion, the anterior edges of the lips meeting first, 

 and the wave of motion thus initiated traveling toward 

 the posterior ends, until, when these finally meet, the an- 

 terior edges are open again. The process of opening, 

 therefore, takes place in the reverse direction. Fig. 8 

 diagrams six stages in a single beat of the lips, and in 

 Fig. 9 are represented four beats analyzed with respect 

 to their cycles of contacts and partings. 



The opening and closing of the inner lips, or edges of 

 the mouth proper, take place, apparently, in a similar 

 wave-like manner, and in the reverse order or motion 

 from that of the outer lips. This sequence of motion 

 may aid in forcing food into the buccal cavity, since 

 whenever any given portion of the buccal cavity is open 



