DR. MARTIN BARRY ON THE CORPUSCLES OF THE BLOOD. 
239 
contents of “ cells” in general, an attentive examination of these pale cells of the 
crystalline has also strengthened a view mentioned in my last memoir-j~, — that, 
however minute the “ cell,” and wherever it exists, it is by the coalescence of discs 
that its membrane is formed. Thus in fig. 156. a, (3, the outer discs are seen entering 
into the formation of the membrane of the cell ; the remainder being now the nucleus 
of the cell. At #3, fig. 154, the cell-membrane is formed. We thus seem to have 
even here a mode of origin of the membrane of the cell, essentially the same as that 
which, in a former paper, I showed to form the chorion^:, — as will be hereafter 
pointed out in the membrane of the ovisac, — and as seems to be the mode of produc- 
tion of other, and perhaps all, membranes, as well as fibrous tissues. 
174. Other facts observable in an examination of the pale cells of the lens, are 
equally confirmatory of my views regarding “ cells” in general. The nucleus is very 
distinctly seen to be composed of discs (figs. 154, 155, 156.), into which it divides; 
and at a certain part, there is sometimes seen a highly refracting object, correspond- 
ing apparently to the nucleolus of authors, but, as I believe, being really an orifice 
communicating with the exterior of the cell. 
175. I have already mentioned my inability to confirm the idea of Professor 
Schwann, who supposed it to be by elongation, that these pale cells form the fibres 
of the lens. It is true he makes the addition, “ I have several times observed the 
arrangement, one upon another, of the nuclei of cells : but do not know what it 
indicates. It is also very possible that the coalescence of cells may take place to form 
a fibre ; but hitherto I have no decisive observations §.” It affords me satisfaction to 
find that, while bringing forward facts opposed to the views of this excellent ob- 
server, I am not without an admission — very important as coming from him — of the 
possibility that the fibres may arise by another mode. 
176. It remains to add, that the appearance now and then, in very large numbers, 
and in parallel lines, of objects such as those in figs. 157, 158, 159, has led me to 
believe that the fibre of the lens is formed by the coalescence of the cells in question, 
previously arranged in a line. 
177- These fibres in many instances originally present the nucleus in their cells 
(see the figures). Sometimes the so-called nucleolus — really an orifice — is also pre- 
sent (figs. 157, 158. a), communicating with the exterior of the cell. In another in- 
stance (fig. 157- S), I saw the cell filled with discs, there being no nucleus in this cell. 
178. The fibres are originally of a necklace form ; their bead-like segments being 
often of unequal magnitude (see the figures). When this is the case, deficiency in 
size is sometimes compensated by the number of the cells (fig. 158. (3). It is probable 
that in other instances an equal diameter throughout the fibre, is obtained by elon- 
gation of the larger cell. Sometimes the cells are very large (fig. 159.). The bead- 
like segments coalesce ; the intervening membranous partitions disappear; and thus 
f On the Corpuscles of the Blood, Part II. 1. c., par. 79. 
+ Researches in Embryology : Third Series, l. c. § L. c., p. 102. 
