Introduction. 
[. History. 
The progressive history of our knowledge of the histology of 
the nervous system is treated of so often, and so well, by previous 
writers that it certainly, to some extent, entails a repetition of their 
words to refer to it again. 
Still, it is a tradition to look back upon the works and 
merits of our predecessors before passing to our own work, and 
I do not think it right, to break with the custom, but will, 
however, confine myself as much as possible to mentioning the most 
important writers of modern times on this subject, and for earlier 
literature on the subject refer my readers to the many sketches 
given by previous writers. ') As it is especially the nervous system 
of the evertebrates which is about to be treated of here, I will restrict 
myself, principally, to the literature on that subject, all the more, 
as in a separate memoir on the nervous system of Myxine glutinosa 
I hope to obtain an opportunity of referring to the literature in re- 
spect of the histology of the vertebrate nervous system more circum- 
stantially. 
^) The literature on the nervous system of the evertebrates is very circum- 
stantially treated of by Vignal. His reports are, however, not in every point quite 
correct. Very good reviews of the literature are given 1882 by Freud, 1879 by 
Hans Schultze, 1875 Hermann and 1872 by Solbrig. Of course, a great many 
other writers have also mentioned the previous literature more or less circum- 
stantially. The previous literature on the histology of the nervous system of the 
vertebrates is referred to in Prof. Golgis last work on this subject. Hans Schultze 
has given a very good review of the literature so far as it concerns the fibrillous 
structure of the nervous elements. Besides this there is in Kuhnt's paper a very 
complete review of the literature up to his time. 
