374 
B. MELLAND. 
This method, as was before stated, has a tendency to split 
the fibre into transverse discs. These isolated discs are 
found in many parts of the preparation ; they present the 
appearances seen in figs. 4 and 5. They are seen plainly in 
all cases to consist of two parts — (1) a network of fine lines 
highly refracting, stained by the gold, and having thickenings 
at the nodes ; and (2) an unstained substance lying in the 
interstices of the network. 
The appearance of this network differs somewhat with the 
degree of compression of the discs. When much compressed 
the network appears more open, and the nodal dots less 
marked. Towards the outside of the fibre the meshes appear 
more oblong, the network extending mostly in a radial direc- 
tion. This network evidently corresponds when it is in its 
transverse position in the fibre with the deeply-stained, beaded 
disc occupying the position of Krause’s “ membrane.” This 
is shown in certain fibres in which the discs are not seen 
perfectly edgeways but in perspective (fig. 6). The beaded 
disc at each membrane of Krause is here seen to consist of 
a transverse or horizontal network, united to the discs above 
and below by fine thread-like lines. This method of 
gold staining, then, brings out a network arranged in a 
manner represented diagrammatically in diagrams 1, 2, 3, 
and 4. 
This network differs chemically from the rest of the fibre, 
inasmuch as it resists to a larger extent the action of acetic 
acid, and possesses in a greater degree the power of reducing 
gold. 
It will be shown later, by other methods of preparation, that 
this network differs again from the matrix in its physical pro- 
perties. The network is isotropous and highly refractile. The 
refractive power is somewhat altered bv gold staining, but 
certain optical effects are still produced by the refractive action 
of the network upon light. These optical effects can be more 
definitely seen in isolated portions of the network than in 
the whole fibre. 
