OF THE BLAEDEE AND PEOSTATE. 
27 
The fibres which can with any degree of propriety be regarded as pursuing a 
longitudinal or vertical direction are comparatively few, and are confined to the 
anterior, posterior, or lateral surfaces. They are best seen in the bladders of the 
lower animals. 
2nd. External layer , consisting of fibres arranged in attenuated figure-of-eight loops . — 
Returning to the anterior aspect, we observe that at a point about half an inch above 
the cervix the fibres diverge from the mesial line gradually and with great regularity in 
an upward and downward direction ; they in fact cross each other, and form figure-of- 
eight loops (Plate III. figs. 1 & 2, c d ef), the more attenuated of which are nearest to 
the line in question. These loops are placed beneath the longitudinal fibres, and are so 
arranged that they include the urachus (x) and urethra (b) in their terminal portions. 
Sabatiee*, as was explained, observed a similar looped arrangement, and described the 
fibres which embrace the urachus and urethra, and are continued on the anterior surface 
as oval fibres. He was not aware that the fibres crossed each other and formed figure- 
of-eight loops. If a single fibre were taken, it might be regarded as setting out from 
the left side of the urachus and running in a spiral direction from left to right down- 
wards, until it reached the cervix, round which it curves to proceed in an opposite direc- 
tion, or from right to left upwards. The course of the fibre in question is indicated at 
Plate V. diagram 1, e d ef. The looped fibres form a figure-of-eight patch or layer which 
extends from the apex to the base for a little distance on either side of the mesial line. 
On the posterior aspect the fibres likewise diverge from the mesial line (Plate III. figs. 4 
& 5, gt). In this instance, however, the divergence and crossing is less obvious, owing 
to the greatly attenuated condition of the loops occasioned by the greater vertical mea- 
surement of the bladder posteriorly. In many cases those loops, or modifications of 
them, extend forwards upon the urethra and give rise to a series of slightly oblique 
fibres not formerly described. The oblique fibres referred to can also be traced in the 
prostate. A similar figure-of-eight looped arrangement of the fibres is discovered on the 
sides of the bladder. The four sets of fibres described extend in the direction of each 
other, and invest a considerable proportion of the surface of the bladder. They form the 
second layer. 
3rd. External layer , consisting of fibres arranged in figure-of-eight loops flattened from 
above or extended laterally .■ — If the longitudinal and slightly oblique fibres forming the first 
and second external layers be removed from the anterior aspect, a third set of looped fibres, 
diverging still more decidedly from the mesial line and forming a more perfect figure-of- 
eight, is discovered (Plate III. figs. 1 & 2, g h ij). Those fibres which have a deeper posi- 
tion diverge from the mesial line and cross each other obliquely at a point about three- 
fourths of an inch above the cervix. They proceed from the left of the mesial line pos- 
teriorly, curve round the left side of the bladder in a spiral oblique direction, and cross 
the mesial line anteriorly at the point indicated. Continuing their downward course, 
they curve round behind the cervix, where they alter their direction and are lost to 
t Op. cit. 
