REVIEW. 
693 
meshes of this corium that the terminal divisions of the plantar 
and pre-plantar arteries ramify, in order to form that magnificent 
network or veritable vascular membrane whose presence in the 
natural subject strikes the naked eye by the lively red colour so 
characteristic of the podophyllous tissue, and which in feet that 
have been successfully injected shews itself in beautiful arterial 
arborizations, whose extreme divisions seem to blazon forth like 
stars, as though they were fireworks. 
“ Out of the substance of this membrane spring capillary 
arteries which enter the bases of the laminae, and, running 
parallel with them, send off within their folds multitudes of 
infinitissimally small divisions, which quit the parent branch 
at right angles, in the same way as the feathers issue from 
a quill, and ramify in arches upon the free borders of the 
laminae. 
“ Besides these arterial structures, the podophyllous corium 
supports a nervous network, a necessary element of the laminae, 
with papillary tufts (or villi) which terminate in thin lower extre- 
mities, though in what manner even magnifying glasses fail to 
disclose to us. 
“This nervous network is constituted of the terminal divisions 
of the cutaneous and other branches of the plantar nerve, which 
accompany the pre-plantar artery in the fissure of the same 
name. 
“ There probably likewise exists, within the web of the podo- 
phyllous tissue, a special apparatus for the secretion of horn 
(the keratogeneous apparatus), the same as exists in the skin, 
according to Buschel, and Roupel, of Vauzeme, for the secretion 
of the epidermis. On this score, however, we are reduced to 
mere conjecture, strict observation nowise furnishing us with 
any material evidence thereof. 
“ The podophyllous structure has for its substratum a fibrous 
r eticulated membrane, the meshes of which afford a bed for the 
venous podophyllous plexus, whose description has been already 
given. 
“This reticulum, whose substance is thickest over the central 
and lateral parts of the foot, establishes between the bone and 
laminated tissue such direct relations that it is difficult to say 
whether it belongs to the hone as periosteum, or to the podo- 
phyllous tissue as a continuity of the corium. Perhaps it 
answers both purposes. 
“Bracy Clark has given to this re-inforcement of the podo- 
phyllous tissue the name of reticulum processigerum, meaning 
literally, laminm-bearing membrane.” 
Our space reminds us we must not dwell longer on the 
