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malities in origin and ontogenetic evolution, as also by the quantity 
and the character of the connections between the cortical regions 
themselves and between these and subcortical centra. As to the latter 
the investigation. of the fibre-tracts will give light. 
Concerning the structure of the cortex some points can be stated 
even now, based on the examination of 14 cortex-pieces, taken from 
different regions and stained by Nissl’s method. 
No local pathological changes — diseases of vascular system, traces 
of inflammation etc. — could be found. 
The resemblance with foetal structure is obvious: the layer of 
multiform, cells (VI Brodmann) extends too deep in the underlying 
centrum ovale. In this region ganglioncelis are found, of which some 
have not yet attained to their full development; others have required 
the pyramidal form; apparently, on their way from the ependymary 
matrix to the perifery, they have not reached their destination 
{heterotopy in its simplest form). 
In the frontal cortex, specially in the gyr. centr. ant. the inner 
granular layer (IV) is clearly visible in contrast to normal brains; 
evidently a remnant of the embryologieal conditions. 
On the right hemisphere, the area gigantopyraniidalis occupies a 
more frontal position to the fiss. centralis than in normal brain: 
the gigantic pyramids only begin on the top of the frontal border 
of this fissure, whereas on the left hemisphere they are already 
present on the bottom of the sulcus, and even penetrate into the 
region of gyr. centr. posterior. 
Behind the fiss. centralis the changes are more obvious, at least in 
so far, that in more places than in the frontal lobe, there is an 
under-development of the supragranular pyramids'), whereas the 
infragranular ones show a tolerably regular condition (gyr. centr. 
post., T x and T, caudal parts). This abnormality is most striking 
on the bottom of the sulci where already de norma these, just as 
the deeper layers, are more poorly developed, compared with the 
enlarged lam. zonalis and granularis externa. 
Those regions, having normally a very 7 characteristic structure as 
the acoustic and visual cortex, show in this idiot the same gener 
features. It should be mentioned that the area striata can be easily 
limited on the tops of the dorsal, resp. the central border of t e 
fissura calcarina, where it touches the so-called visuo-psychic zone, 
q In regard to the phylogenesis (see especially Mott : Evolution of the visual cortex 
in Mammalia, Arch, of Neurol. Vol. Ill, and Watson : The mammalian cereD 
cortex etc., ibidem), this condition may be considered as a partial explanation 
idiocy, apart from the general marked reduction in size of the brain. 
