The Monthly Microscopicall 
Journal, January 1, 18G9. J 
Fungiform Papillw. 
3 
especially in those points where doubt might exist as to correct 
representation, irrelative of interpretation. In some cases I have 
endeavoured to stain the tissues by a method different to any 
hitherto proposed, and have so far succeeded as to give me hope, by 
further efforts, to be enabled to stain the delicate nerve-tissues of a 
decided tint, in specimens even which have already had the ger- 
minal matter stained by carmine. 
If, as is generally allowed, we regard the glossopharyngeal nerve 
as the special sensory nerve of taste, and the fungiform papillae as 
the chief seat of the sensuous impressions ; and if we give to the 
frog the same power as we possess ourselves, of discriminating 
between agreeable and disagreeable substances, we may leave the 
fine distinctions brought about by habits of cultivation : and I see 
no reason why this should not be allowed, noting the instincts of 
various animals and the results of experiments, where the power 
of selection has been lost by sections of this nerve. Presuming 
this, I shall regard these fungiform papillae in the frog as the chief 
organs of taste. 
Whether the general organ is, as stated by the late Dr. Henry 
Goadby, rendered turgid at the moment of its eversion from the 
mouth in the act of seizing its living food, I am not prepared to 
state, for I have not been able to satisfy myself on this point, or 
whether these fungiform papillae are erectile or retracted under use, 
I cannot decide, though often tempted to suppose such to be the 
case from the position of the fine terminations of the branched 
muscles within them ; and if we take for granted, so far as taste is 
concerned, the necessity for substances to be presented to the papillae 
in solution, we shall be the better enabled in the details following 
to assume the aqtion of various parts. 
Amongst the fungiform papillae there is considerable difference 
in appearance as to size and contents, though all bear a general 
uniformity. This we may expect from partial destruction of such 
delicate organs, or from the variation between those fully formed, 
and those growing or under repair. 
The close arrangements of the gustatory and filiform papillae ; 
the passage in the same bundle with sensory nerves going directly 
to the summit of the former, of fine nucleated nerve-fibres ; their 
distribution to the capillaries of the papillae, the branched muscular 
fibres attached at their attenuated extremities to the sides and near 
the top of the fine connective tissue that surrounds them, and to the 
adjoining or neighbouring filiform papillae and their capillary ; 
show that within the same bundle with sensory fibres we have also 
exciter and reflex fibres in such a complicated arrangement, that 
it would be impossible from experiments conducted on the surface 
of the tongue to establish any satisfactory results; or separate the 
functions of taste from touch, could we experiment on the frog, 
B 2 
