Dr. Beale, on Sarcolemma. 
107 
From these observations I am led to conclude that nerves 
are distributed over every part of the surface of the sarco- 
lemma. It is quite certain that fine nerve-fibres reach this 
membrane at a greater number of points than is represented 
in any of my drawings. 
The mode of formation of the fine terminal bundle of 
nerve-fibres^ as represented in PI. XIV, fig 2, is a fact of the 
utmost importance^ and, as I have shown, the arrangement is 
constant in all nerves in all animals. The fibre seems to divide 
into two bundles {a^ a), which pass in opposite directions in 
the trunk. Oftentimes a nerve-fibre divides into two branches 
at the point where a bundle of fibres leaves the main trunk ; 
of these, one passes into the branch, while the other continues 
its course with the other fibres in the original trunk. 
There is no evidence of the nerve penetrating into the 
interior of the sarcolemma, as is maintained by many Conti- 
nental anatomists. But, on the contrary, by careful observa- 
tion of preparations properly prepared, with the aid of very 
high powers, the finest fibres may be focussed upon the 
surface of this membrane. The general course and 
arrangement of the nerves represented in fig. 1, and alluded 
to in previous memoirs, renders such a doctrine improbable, 
while there is a great amount of collateral evidence positively 
opposed to it. Moreover, not one of those who have pro- 
pounded views opposed to those expressed in my first paper 
Phil. Trans.,' 1860) has adopted the mode of preparation I 
stated to be necessary, or has even injected the vessels, which 
I proved afibrded important advantages in studying this 
anatomical question in vertebrate animals. 
With reference to the observations of Kiihne on the muscles 
of insects, I regret that my conclusions are hopelessly at vari- 
ance with his, not only as regards matters of detail, but upon 
broad general points. His terminal nerve-fibre consists of a 
bundle of very fine fibres. Instead of a nerve-fibre perforating 
the sarcolemma at one point only of the muscle, and becoming 
connected with nuclei beneath this membrane ; a bundle of 
very fine nerve-fibres, having reached the sarcolemma, ramifies 
freely over its surface, and is not connected with the nuclei 
beneath, which are probably only concerned in the formation 
of the contractile tissue. I regret being at issue with my 
friend upon simple matters of fact of this kind ; but, as he is 
well aware, he has stated his conclusions so very positively, 
and has repeated them so frequently, with some modifications, 
however, that I can accept no compromise — nor can I allow 
the discussion to cease until the general points at issue have 
been more carefully investigated by others. I must again 
