On the Structure of Secretory Cells 



and on 



the Changes which take place in them during Secretion x ) 



by 



J. N. Langley, M. A., F.R.S. 



We have, from different observers, different descriptions of the 

 structure of each of the various kinds of gland-cells. Moreover, very 

 different accounts are given of the changes which take place during 

 secretion, not only in the various kinds of gland -cells, but also in 

 gland-cells of the same kind. 



And this is not unnaturally the case, since different observers 

 have examined the gland -cells under different conditions; in some 

 instances the cells have been examined in the fresh state, in others 

 after treatment with osmic acid or with alcohol or with chromic acid. 



But scarcely any attempt has been made to reconcile these various 

 accounts, or to ascertain what are the common points of structure, 

 and the common changes which take place during secretion. 



This I wish to do here, but to do very briefly, since I trust soon 

 to give a more detailed account, accompanied by figures of the diffe- 

 rent glands. For this reason also, I may perhaps be allowed to 

 contine myself to a statement of conclusions without pointing out 

 how far they coincide or clash with the conclusions of previous ob- 

 servers. 



The glands of vertebrates in which I find that the secretory 

 cells have fundamentally the same structure are: the serous and 



*) Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, 

 Vol. V. Read Nov. 12, 1883. 



