22 
CiACiCio^ on the Distribution of 
witli varying mesTies is formed^ wHcIl is generally situated 
on one or more capillaries. 
Although it is generally the ease that the bundles of very 
fine nerve-fibres, which leave the sheath of the dark-bordered 
fibres, after dividing and sub-dividing, pass to their distribu- 
tion to the capillary vessels, yet some of them, without 
branching, are seen to pass directly from one bundle of dark- 
bordered fibres to another. This circumstance, however, seldom 
occurs, but more frequently these bundles divide into two 
branches, the one of which is distributed to the capillary 
vessels, while the other passes into the sheath of a bundle of 
dark-bordered fibres. 
According to my former statement, the plexus which the 
bundles of dark-bordered fibres form in the inner layer of the 
derma is not terminal, because the main bundles, which enter 
into its formation, pass off towards the outer layer. Now, 
while the bundles of dark-bordered fibres are passing through 
the middle layer of the derma, they give off branches consist- 
ing of two or more fine fibres, which are exclusively dis- 
tributed to the fibrous tissue of this layer. These branches 
are of diflPerent sizes, and change very frequently the plane of 
their distribution. They sometimes run in straight directions 
for some distance, but more frequently their course is tortuous. 
It is not unusual to see some of these branches crossing 
others at a right angle. When some branches can be fol- 
lowed to a great distance, they are seen to divide repeatedly 
into smaller ones, either at acute or right angle. I have seen, 
but not frequently, some fine branches dividing on their way 
into three or four single fibres, which sometimes pursue 
diflPerent courses as individual fibres, and sometimes, after 
proceeding for a very short distance separately, they again 
unite into a single branch. "When a branch meets another at 
almost right angle, it usually gives off two smaller branches, 
which pass in opposite directions. All the branches from the 
largest to the smallest are in frequent connection with one 
another, so that they form a continuous extensive network, 
which in the main resembles that I have described in another 
paper as existing in the cornea of the sparrow and of small birds 
generally. Connected with some of the branches forming the 
network, at a great distance from one another, I have found 
small bodies which exhibit sometimes a triangular, and at 
others an irregular shape. They are remarkable for a distinct 
oval nucleus they contain imbedded in the middle of finely 
granular matter. 
In examining transverse sections of this layer of the derma, 
several fine branches cut across by the knife may be observed. 
