K-0 
 581 
 
THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
[ 89 ] 
 
 VII. On Fibre. By MARTIN BARBY, M.D., F.R.SS. L. and E. 
 
 Received December 3, Head December 16, 1841. 
 
 THERE is scarcely any term so generally used in the description of animal or 
 vegetable tissue, as the term Jibre. If this serves to show the universal presence of 
 fibre, it also indicates the importance of having a correct notion of its structure. 
 On this subject, however, physiologists differ widely : some believing fibre to be com- 
 posed of globules, while others maintain that no globules can be discerned in it. 
 
 My investigations have led me to adopt neither of these views. Should the obser- 
 vations that I have to communicate be found deserving of attention, it will be owing 
 to my having carefully examined the structure of fibre in the course of its formation, 
 beginning with the very earliest stage. At this period, I had to deal with an object 
 of considerable size ; the form of which, therefore, could be distinctly seen : and by 
 tracing the metamorphoses of the large and parent fibre, I was enabled to see in the 
 minute succeeding ones a structure, which I think would not otherwise have been 
 discerned. We may hereafter see the cause of the difference in opinion regarding 
 the structure of fibre. 
 
 The present memoir, though devoted to the investigation of fibre, is in fact a con- 
 tinuation of those which I have already communicated to the Society on the Corpus- 
 cles of the Blood -f-. 
 
 Formation of a Flat Filament within the Blood-corpuscle. Structure of this Fila- 
 ment. Presence of a Filament having the same appearance in the Coagulum of 
 Blood -, as well as in the Tissues generally, of both Animals and Plants. This Flat 
 Filament is what is usually termed a " Fibre." 
 
 1. In the mature blood-corpuscle (red blood-disc), there is often to be seen a flat 
 filament or band already formed within the corpuscle. In Mammalia, including 
 Man (Plate V. figs. 4, 1, 2), this filament is frequently annular ; sometimes the ring 
 is divided at a certain part ; and sometimes one extremity overlaps the other. In 
 Birds (fig. 5.), Amphibia (figs. 8, 9, 10, 11), and Fishes (figs. 12, 13), the filament is 
 of such length as to be coiled. 
 
 2. This filament is formed of the discs contained within the blood-corpuscle. In 
 Mammals, the discs entering into its formation are so few as to form a single ring; 
 whence the biconcave form of the corpuscle in this class, and the often annular form 
 
 f Part I. Philosophical Transactions, 1840, p. 595, Part II. Philosophical Transactions, 1841, p. 201, 
 Part III. Philosophical Transactions, 1841, p. 217. 
 
 MDCCCXLII. N 
 
90 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 of the filament it produces. In the other Vertebrata, the discs contained within the 
 blood-corpuscle are too numerous-}- for such a ring ; therefore their arrangement 
 forms a coil. At the outer part of this coil, the filament (already stated to be flat) 
 is often on its edge (figs. 10, 11, 12), from which arises a greater thickness of the 
 corpuscle, and the appearance it has of being cut off abruptly at this part ; while in 
 the centre, there is generally the unappropriated portion of a nucleus (figs. 8, 10) : 
 whence the central eminence, around which there appears a depression in those cor- 
 puscles that, from the above cause, have the edge thickened. 
 
 3. The nucleus of the blood-corpuscle in some instances resembles a ball of twine, 
 being actually composed, at its outer part, of a coiled filament (fig. 10 /3, y). 
 
 4. Such of the Invertebrata as I have examined (figs. 14, 15), likewise present the 
 blood-corpuscle passing into a coil. 
 
 5. Acetic acid dissolves the part most advanced, leaving the newest part behind. 
 This accounts for the figures accompanying my Part II. on the Corpuscles of the 
 Blood %, representing corpuscles of Birds, Amphibia, and Fishes, from which the 
 filament in question, or its elements, had been removed by this reagent. 
 
 6. The filament thus formed within the blood-corpuscle, has a structure which is 
 very remarkable (see the figures just referred to). It is not only flat, but deeply 
 grooved on both surfaces ; being thereby thinner in the middle than at the edges. 
 The edges are rounded : and when seen on its edge, the filament at first sight seems 
 to consist of segments. It is important, however, to observe, that the line sepa- 
 rating the apparent segments from one another, is not directly transverse, but oblique 
 (see fig. 9 y). 
 
 7. Of course the structure of an object so minute, cannot be seen without a very 
 high magnifying power, and a good light. And it may be here remarked, that in 
 the researches forming the subject of this paper, I have generally added dilute spirit 
 (sp. gr. about 0'940), containing about -j^oth of corrosive sublimate^. 
 
 8. It is deserving of notice, in the first place, that portions of the coagulum of blood 
 sometimes consist of filaments having a structure identical with that of the filament 
 formed within the blood-corpuscle ; secondly, that, in the coagulum, I have noticed 
 the ring formed in the blood-corpuscle of Man (fig. 4), and the coil formed in that 
 of Birds (fig. 6) and Reptiles, unwinding themselves into the straight and often 
 parallel filaments of the coagulum, changes which may be also seen taking place 
 in blood placed under the microscope before its coagulation ; thirdly, that I have 
 noticed similar coils strewn through the field of view (figs. 7, 17) 5 when examining 
 various tissues, the coils here also appearing to be altered blood-corpuscles, and 
 
 f Philosophical Transactions, 1841, PI. XVIII. figs. 52 y, 54 e. In all vertebrated animals the young blood- 
 corpuscle is a mere disc, with a depression in the centre. In Mammalia it continues of this form ; while in 
 the other Vertebrata it becomes a nucleated cell. J L. c., PI. XVIII. 
 
 For the examination of certain tissues, especially muscle, I have since used chromic acid sp. gr. about 1-050. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 91 
 
 unwinding-; lastly, that filaments having the same structure as the foregoing, are to 
 be met with apparently in every tissue of the body. 
 
 9. I proceed to enumerate the parts in which I have observed the same kind of 
 filaments ; without stopping to point out peculiarities in their size or in their mode 
 of combination in the various parts. Future observers will find, that while in some 
 parts they have coalesced to produce a membrane, have themselves passed into 
 tubes, or are otherwise rendered indistinct, they retain their form remarkably, 
 being sometimes crossed in various directions, or at other times lying parallel. 
 Some remarks on this subject will be found in the explanation of the figures, as 
 for instance in that of the cornea (fig. 91). The parts in which I have noticed the 
 filaments in question are these : the cortical and medullary substance of both the 
 cerebrum and cerebellum, the spinal chord, the optic nerve and retina, the olfac- 
 tory and auditory nerves, nerves connected with the spinal chord, voluntary and 
 involuntary muscle, (the latter including the muscle in all parts of the alimentary 
 canal, and the Fallopian tube and uterus, as well as blood-vessels, the iris and the 
 heart), tendon, elastic tissue, cellular and fatty tissue, serous membranes (peri- 
 toneum, pericardium, and arachnoid membrane), various parts of the so-called 
 mucous membrane-f-, the lining membrane of the large blood-vessels and the valve 
 of a large vein, the skin, the dura mater and the sheath of the spinal chord, liga- 
 ment, the gums and palate, the stroma of the ovary, the testis and the walls of 
 the vas deferens, the kidney and ureter, the glans, as well as the corpus spongio- 
 sum and corpus cavernosum penis, the coats of the gall-bladder and of the cystic 
 duct, the pancreas, the liver. I found them along with the marrow from a bone ; be- 
 tween the rings of the trachea, as well as in the substance of the lungs, and the gills 
 of the common Mussel ; in the parenchyma of the spleen, the lachrymal gland, the 
 sclerotic coat of the eye, the conjunctiva, the cornea, the membrane of the vitreous 
 humour, the capsule of the crystalline lens, the lens itself, the cartilage of the ear 
 and cartilage of bone, bone itself, the periosteum, the claw of the Bird, the shell- 
 membrane of the egg, substance connecting the ova of the Crab, silk, hair, the 
 incipient feather, the feather-like objects from the wing of the Butterfly and Gnat, 
 and the Spider's web. These are the principal of the animal structures in which I 
 have found filaments such as those above described. 
 
 10. Of plants, I subjected to microscopic examination the root, stem, leaf-stalk 
 and leaf, besides the several parts of the flower : and in no instance where a fibrous 
 tissue existed, did I fail to find filaments of the same kind. This was in the Phane- 
 rogamia. On subsequently examining portions indiscriminately taken from Ferns, 
 Mosses, Fungi, Lichens, and several of the marine Algae, I met with an equally 
 general distribution of the same kind of filaments. 
 
 11. The flat filament seen by me in all these structures, of both animals and 
 
 t I saw a curious interlacement of these filaments on the villi of the lining membrane of the rectum in the 
 Rabbit. 
 
 N 2 
 
92 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 plants, is that usually denominated a " fibre." And the appearance of the filament 
 in all the structures mentioned, was essentially such as that delineated in the figures 
 above referred to : an appearance which I have never before seen represented as that 
 of fibre." 
 
 12. Most of the figures which accompany the memoir present filaments, having 
 the appearance in question. It will be seen to be precisely such as that of the filament 
 formed within the corpuscle of the blood. We know that discoid corpuscles circulate 
 in plants ; and it remains to be seen whether filaments are not formed in these. 
 
 The foregoing facts, I think, indicate the necessity in physiological research, of not 
 resting satisfied with mere opinion, though emanating from so high an authority as 
 HUNTER; who supposed the corpuscles to be "the least important portion of the 
 blood." 
 
 Structure of the Flat Filament (" Fibre") more particularly investigated. 
 
 13. We have hitherto viewed the object called by me a flat filament, only in some 
 of its minutest forms. These are sufficient to show that it is a compound structure. 
 But in order to become more particularly acquainted with this structure, it is requi- 
 site to trace the filament into similar objects of larger size. For this purpose, it will 
 be sufficient to examine successively the following figures, from nervous substance, 
 from muscle, and from the crystalline lens : namely, figs. 1 17 |3, 116/3, 1 15 j8, 1 14 (3, 
 62, 53, 92, 56, 54, 84, 131. 
 
 14. I have attempted in fig. 55. to represent what has appeared to me to be the 
 structure of the objects in the figures now referred to. Here (in fig. 55) we find two 
 spirals, running in opposite directions, and interlacing at a certain point (a), in every 
 wind. This arrangement gives to the entire object a grooved appearance and a 
 flattened form. It is in fact the structure which, for want of a better term, I have 
 called a flat filament. The edge of this filament (figs. 1 14 (3, 56 y, 62) presents what 
 at first sight seem like segments, but which in reality are the consecutive curves of a 
 spiral thread. A transverse section of such an object is rudely represented by the 
 figure 8. This is precisely the appearance presented also by the minutest filament 
 or " fibre :" and I particularly refer to the oblique direction of the line separating the 
 apparent segments in the smaller filament (fig. 9 y), in connection with the oblique 
 direction of the spaces between the curves of the spiral threads in the larger one. 
 
 15. In further proof of identity in the structure of the larger and the smaller fila- 
 ments, it may be mentioned, that I have seen filaments of minute size to enlarge, and 
 give origin in their interior to other filaments (fig. 131). 
 
 16. We shall hereafter find that there is a tendency in these filaments to become 
 membranous at the surface (par. 62). Hence it appears to be, that, very often when 
 the flattened form of the filament and its grooved middle part are distinctly visible, 
 no trace whatever of a crenate edge can be discerned. This may serve to show the 
 necessity for extended observation, before investigators come to a conclusion as to 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 93 
 
 the existence of filaments, such as those I have described. And here they should be 
 apprized, that the filaments are sometimes exceedingly minute. Such was their condi- 
 tion, for instance, in tendon. In bone also, from which the phosphate of lime had been 
 removed (by muriatic acid), I found them exceedingly minute. The varying appear- 
 ance of the edges of the filament, just referred to, may assist to explain why some 
 have believed " fibre" to consist of globules ; while others have maintained that no 
 globules can be discerned in it. 
 
 The Spiral Form as general in Animals as in Plants Universality and Early 
 
 Appearance of the Spiral Form. 
 
 1 7. It is known that vegetable tissue presents, in some parts, a feature which has 
 heretofore seemed wanting, or nearly so, in that of animals the spiral form. I 
 venture to believe that some appearances met with in my investigations may go far 
 towards supplying this deficiency. These appearances will be found represented in 
 the nervous tissue (Plates VI., VIII., IX.), in muscle (Plates VI., VII., VIII., IX.), in 
 minute blood-vessels (fig. 16), and in the crystalline lens (fig. 131). If indeed the 
 view above mentioned that the larger and the smaller filaments have the same 
 structure be correct, it follows that spirals are much more general in plants them- 
 selves than has been hitherto supposed. Spirals would thus appear, in fact, to be 
 as universal as a "fibrous" structure. 
 
 18. The tendency to the spiral form manifests itself very early. Of this the most 
 important instance is afforded by the corpuscle of the blood, as above described. I 
 have also obtained an interesting proof of it in cartilage from the ear of a rabbit 
 (figs. 133 to 136), where the nucleus, lying loose in its cell, resembled a ball of 
 twine ; being actually composed, at its outer part, like the nuclei of certain blood- 
 corpuscles, of a coiled filament ; which it was giving off to weave the cell-wall ; 
 this cell-wall being no other than the last formed portion of what is termed the inter- 
 cellular substance the essential part of cartilage. 
 
 19. I think there is ground for believing, that the nucleus of the cell in cartilage, 
 now compared to a ball of twine, is descended by fissiparous generation from the 
 nucleus of the blood-corpuscle; which on a former occasion-)- we saw to give the 
 first origin to cartilage, for I have never seen the nucleus of a cell arise, except as 
 part of a previously existing nucleus^. It is therefore interesting now to find in 
 each the appearance which I have compared to a ball of twine: though it is not 
 likely that cartilage is the only tissue to which the blood-corpuscle transmits the 
 property in question. 
 
 Mode of Origin of the Flat Filament (" Fibre") Its Reproduction. 
 
 20. It is known that, in order to the formation of certain fibrous tissues, cells 
 
 t Philosophical Transactions, 1841, PI. XXII. figs. 116^ 122. 
 
 \ Some of the nuclei in the cells of cartilage in figs. 134, 135, were apparently undergoing division. 
 
94 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 apply themselves to one another (fig. 28), so as to present the appearance of a neck- 
 lace ; and that subsequently, as the partitions between the cell-cavities are absorbed, 
 this necklace becomes a tube. It is supposed that the ultimate threads of the tissue 
 arise within this tube. But on the subject of the particular mode of origin of these 
 ultimate threads, I am not aware that we possess any published information, except 
 that furnished by SCHWANN and VALENTIN : the former having shown that a " secon- 
 dary deposit" makes its appearance on the inner surface of the wall of the tube-f-, and 
 the latter, that this deposit soon presents longitudinal threads ; which threads have 
 sometimes the appearance of being "composed of longitudinal rows of globules^." 
 I do not find that any mention has hitherto been made of a second order of tubes, 
 arising within the first or parent tube (par. 42). The results obtained by myself 
 are by no means complete ; but may perhaps afford information that will serve as a 
 guide in future investigations. 
 
 21. Cells applied to one another in the above necklace-like manner, I formerly 
 showed to become filled with discs . If now fig. 26 <y be referred to, such discs or 
 cells into which the discs have passed will be seen arranged in lines, corresponding 
 with the direction of the forming tube. This figure was taken from the mould of 
 cheese. Fig. 36 presents an arrangement of the same kind, noticed in voluntary 
 muscle. 
 
 22. One of the purposes for which this linear direction occurs, seems to be the pro- 
 duction of smaller tubes within the larger one (fig. 30) ; and another purpose is ap- 
 parently a peculiar arrangement of discs within the smaller tube. Such an arrange- 
 ment is seen in figs. 45 to 48. In some of these, the discs had become rings. The 
 structure of these rings was such as to leave no doubt with me, that the same process 
 was in operation as that producing the changes, above described, in corpuscles of the 
 blood. The blood-corpuscle (fig. 17 a) passes from a mere disc into a ring (/3, y), 
 and this ring into a coil (&, t, t). Now, with the regular arrangement of rings seen at 
 a fig. 48, and with the analogy of the blood-corpuscles just mentioned, it seems highly 
 probable that every ring (fig. 48 a) becomes a coil, and that the extremities of coils 
 in the same line unite, to form a spiral. I have to add, that a spiral (y) actually 
 existed in this tube (fig. 48) in a line with the rings represented in the figure, 
 having obviously been formed out of such rings : and I know of no way in which 
 the transformation could have been effected so easily and so naturally as that now 
 described. 
 
 23. The tube in question (fig. 48) presents, not merely one, but two spirals : and 
 these two spirals interlace with one another. This interlacement seems to explain 
 
 t ScftwANN, " Mikroskopische Untersuchungen iiber die Uebereinstimmung in der Struktur und dem 
 Wachsthum der Thiere und Pflanzen." Tab. IV. fig. 3. 
 
 I VALENTIN, in MULLER'S Archiv, 1840, p. 204. My observations are entirely different from those of 
 VALENTIN as to the office performed by the nucleus of the cell. 
 
 " On the Corpuscles of the Blood," Part III., /. c., par. 161. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 95 
 
 the remarkable arrangement of the two lines of rings at a. For, during the transi- 
 tion (as 1 suppose) of the rings into coils, an interlacement is almost a necessary con- 
 sequence of the alternate succession of the rings. I have also seen this interlacement 
 of spirals provided for, apparently, by the rings of several lines being linked together 
 while still rings (fig. 47 : see also fig. 120). 
 
 24. Figure 48, from its exhibiting only one side of the tube, represents but two rows 
 of rings. The number of rows, however, contained in the tube seemed four: which 
 of course would become connected in the above way, as easily as two ; and give 
 origin to a corresponding number of interlacing spirals. 
 
 25. I cannot suppose that minuteness is any hindrance to the smallest filament 
 (" fibre") having its origin by the same mode : and to this, the linear arrangement of 
 the discs irit/i/n the blood-corpuscle seems to have especial reference-^-. Facts will be 
 hereafter mentioned, which seem to show a fasciculus of filaments to be thus produced 
 in a certain tissue (par. 42 44). 
 
 26. Within the windings of the spirals (fig. 57 ), nuclei are 'sometimes to be dis- 
 cerned. It appears to be from these nuclei that there proceeds the substance for 
 forming new filaments (fig. 22); which are very often seen within the winds of spirals 
 (figs. 131 (3,94, 58). 
 
 27. I have in some instances observed the filaments, when enlarging, to present a 
 remarkable change in the relative position of their spiral threads. If figs. 40, 41 be 
 referred to, it wiil be seen that a of fig. 40 passes into u of fig. 41, and the latter into 
 )8 of the same figure. The scheme fig. 60 may illustrate this transition. This scheme 
 is merely an altered state of that in fig. 55. In each there are two spirals ; the dif- 
 ference consisting in the relative position of the spirals. The points in contact at a 
 fig. 55, have separated in fig. 60 (a, a) ; so that now, a transverse section is no longer 
 represented by the figure 8 (par. 14), but by a circle. This latter (fig. 60) seems 
 to exhibit the relative position of the spirals, in some instances, when they begin to 
 form, as will be hereafter shown, the membrane of a tube. Such appears to be their 
 state in fig. 41. |3 : a state which apparently precedes the formation of the tubes in 
 figs. 42, 43, and the subsequent figures in this Plate. 
 
 Facts observed in the Formation and Structure of Nerve. 
 
 28. It is known that in the so-called " primitive fibres" into which a nerve can be 
 separated by means of needles, REMAK demonstrated a " band-like axis:}:," corre- 
 sponding to the "cylindrical axis of PURKINJE^;" and that the substance surround- 
 ing this axis, has been termed by SCHWANN, the " white substance of the nervous 
 fibre J." This "white substance" I find to consist of filaments (fig. 112 a, ft fig. 
 
 t See my Part III. on the Corpuscles of the Blood, Philosophical Transactions, 1841, Plate XVIII. 
 figs. 52 y, 54 f. 
 
 t MULLEK'S Elements of Physiology, translated by Dr. BALY, Part VI. p. 1649. 
 
96 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 102 a, (3, y), having the same structure as those constantly referred to in the pre- 
 sent memoir. These filaments, forming the white substance of the nervous fibre, are 
 often seen to be curiously interlaced (fig. 102 y), as though each filament had a spi- 
 ral form. In other instances their direction is more longitudinal (fig. 112 a). 
 
 29. Professor MULLER justly says, " The great size of the so-named primitive fibres 
 of the nerves, as compared \vJth the minute elementary parts of muscles, the cellular 
 and other tissues, excites a doubt as to whether the fibre contained in the nervous 
 cylinder is really its most minute element-f-." He states that "in fibres of the thick- 
 ness of the ordinary primitive fibres, which SCHWANN examined in the mesentery of 
 the Frog, he saw other much finer filaments which issued from the larger fibre;}:." 
 To the filaments seen by SCHWANN, I shall refer in a future page. MULLER adds, that 
 " TREVIRANUS observed in several nervous cylinders streaks running longitudinally, 
 and he even saw distinctly more minute elementary filaments in the so-called primi- 
 tive cylinders ." 
 
 30. The filaments noticed by TREVIRANUS, I think may have been the flat filaments 
 in question. But these flat filaments, as we have seen, have themselves a compound 
 structure. 
 
 31. It is very common to find the nerve-cylinder ("primitive fibre") drawn out to 
 a point from manipulation, like the fasciculus of muscle. See remarks on the alter- 
 ation of the spirals in the muscular fasciculus, and on the office performed by the in- 
 vesting membrane, in this change (par. 54). 
 
 32. The filaments in fasciculi from the optic (fig. 107), olfactory (fig. 108), and audi- 
 tory nerves, have appeared less tense than those in the common spinal nerves ; and 
 there has been a less decided appearance of membrane at the surface in the former. 
 
 33. In examining the substance of these soft nerves, as well as that of the brain 
 and spinal chord, I have employed for the most part such as had been preserved in 
 spirit : and, besides using extremely minute portions, I have very often found it need- 
 ful to avoid adding any covering whatever ; the weight of thin mica itself being suf- 
 ficient to rupture or to flatten it, and thus entirely prevent the structure from being 
 seen. I have already stated it to have been my general practice in these examina- 
 tions, to add corrosive sublimate dissolved in dilute spirit (par. 7). 
 
 34. In the substance of the brain and spinal chord, I have usually met with a very 
 large number of discs (fig. 17 , |3), which from their colour, size, and general appear- 
 ance (corresponding in these respects with many of the corpuscles within the blood- 
 vessels of the pia mater), seemed to be young corpuscles of the blood. Along with 
 these were rings (y) and coils of filaments (S, t, t), into which the discs appeared to 
 pass. I have noticed similar rings in the auditory and optic nerves ; and coils, as 
 well as rings, in the retina (fig. 18), these coils being of the colour of the blood-cor- 
 puscle. Sometimes the coils (fig. 21) are very thick, and comparable to coils of rope. 
 
 t Elements of Physiology, translated by Dr. BALY, Part III. p. 597. 
 J Ibid. pp. 597, 598. Ibid. p. 598. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 97 
 
 35. The constant presence in these parts, of discs, rings, and coils, makes it diffi- 
 cult to avoid connecting them with such objects as that in fig. 22 : the outer spiral 
 in which, for instance, may represent an advanced state of coils like those in fig. 21. 
 Spirals were present between a and /3 in fig. 22 ; but they have not been delineated. 
 
 36. In fig. 80 y, is a broad band-like axis, consisting of delicate longitudinal 
 filaments, and having filaments (|3) external to it ; these being surrounded by a 
 spiral (a). The broad band-like axis (y), I think may correspond to that of REMAK 
 above referred to ; the " white substance" of SCHWANN being here represented by the 
 filaments (3 and a. If, however, this analogy exists, my observations go farther even 
 than REMAK'S. The axis described by this observer was found by him to be suscep- 
 tible of division into filaments. So also is the one described by myself (fig. 80 <y, 
 81 /3, 85 (3). But what I add is that each filament is a compound body, that en- 
 larges (fig. 86), and, from analogy, may contain the elements of future structures, 
 formed by division and subdivision to which no limits can be assigned. 
 
 37. The filaments (3 in fig. 85, being of far minuter size than the so-called " pri- 
 mitive fibre" of the nerves (figs. 102, 112 a, |3), I think it possible that the filaments 
 referred to in a former page, as seen by SCHWANN to proceed from one of the ordinary 
 "primitive fibres" in the mesentery of the Frog, may have had a similar mode of origin. 
 
 38. It has been already stated that the filaments which I believe to constitute .the 
 " white substance of nervous fibre," are often seen to be, not longitudinal, but curi- 
 ously interlaced (fig. 102 y), as though each filament ran in a spiral direction. The 
 appearance has been very much like what would be produced by an elongation of the 
 spirals in fig. 60 (compare this with fig. 102 y), supposing many spirals to be pre- 
 sent instead of two. Now fig. 60, though ideal, represents, apparently, no more than 
 an advanced state of the object fig. 22. In fig. 22 the spirals a and /3 run in opposite 
 directions ; and were (3 to have attained the size of a, we should have fig. 60, with a 
 central row of nuclei for the production of other spirals, which spirals would make 
 the resemblance to fig. 102. y still more cotnplete-f-. 
 
 39. The frequent interlacing (fig. 102 y), and apparently spiral direction, of the 
 filaments in nerves, now referred to, seems the more deserving of attention, from my 
 having found spirally directed filaments so very general in the retina, brain, and 
 spinal chord (figs. 17 to 22, 72, 77, 80 to 82, 85, 99). Farther, I have noticed spirally 
 directed filaments, on being broken, to recoil (figs. 80, 81). Such a change in the 
 " white substance," taking place within a tube, might produce varicosities ; and those 
 minute isolated masses, hitherto called granular, by which it has been usual to distin 
 guish nerve. 
 
 40. In the course of my investigations, I met with a curious object in the lachrymal 
 gland, more resembling a nerve than any other structure, the appearance of which 
 
 t As already mentioned, there were spirals between a and /3 in fig. 22 ; which I have not introduced. Their 
 presence gives an additional resemblance to fig. 102 y. From the above remarks, it appears that a state like 
 that in fig. 60 may be produced in two ways. See par. 27. 
 
 MDCCCXLII. O 
 
98 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 I am acquainted with. This body, sketched in fig. 118, was composed of flat filaments 
 (|3, y), and had a loop-like termination, to the very extremity of which, that is, into 
 the loop itself, the filaments in question were continued, and which indeed they 
 formed. Nothing was seen in this object besides filaments, longitudinal and spiral, 
 for no membranous covering could be discerned. A remarkable crossing of the fila- 
 ments of opposite sides (a), was noticed between the trunk of this object and its loop. 
 
 Facts observed in the Formation and Structure of Muscle. 
 
 41. In May 1840, I offered to the Society some remarks on the origin of muscle-}-, 
 in which it was mentioned that I was then unable to state the mode of formation of 
 the fibrillse within the cylinder. Subsequent observations, to be presently detailed, 
 seem to throw some light upon that subject. In the mean time, however, a memoir 
 by W. BOWMAN has been read, " On the Minute Structure and Movements of Volun- 
 tary Muscle J." This circumstance would have inclined me not to return to the sub- 
 ject, but for its essential connection with researches previously begun by myself; 
 namely, those " on the Corpuscles of the Blood :" and in recording the results, I per- 
 ceive with regret that in the main points they are at variance with the observations 
 of the author just mentioned. 
 
 42. The arrangement of cells into a necklace-like object, has been referred to in a 
 former page (par. 20) : and though I have delineated cells in this state in two previous 
 memoirs , they are sketched in outline in the present paper, fig. 28; which represents 
 cells derived from blood-corpuscles of the Frog. These corpuscles or cells were 
 filled with discs (fig. 29), arisen out of the nuclei of the cells. On the disappearance 
 of the septa between the cells, there is formed a tube. In early stages, this tube be- 
 comes broken, by manipulation, into fragments (fig. 30) ; which fragments represent, 
 apparently, an altered state of the original cells. Within the tube there arise other 
 tubes (see the columns in fig. 30), having their origin in the discs with which the 
 original cells were filled. These inner or second tubes (figs. 32, 33) are met with in 
 after stages, no longer breaking transversely into fragments, but easily separating in 
 a longitudinal direction. Within these second tubes are nuclei (figs. 42 to 44 a), 
 which divide, subdivide (fig. 42) ||, and give origin to discs. The discs fill the tube, 
 arranging themselves with curious regularity (fig. 44 |3), and in a manner similar to 
 that represented by me in the Philosophical Transactions for 1841 ^[, as the state of 
 blood-red discs in tubes at the edge of the crystalline lens. These discs appear to 
 undergo changes like those passed through by their progenitors, the corpuscles of the 
 
 t In my first paper on the Corpuscles of the Blood, /. c., p. 605. 
 I Philosophical Transactions, 1840, p. 457. 
 
 Philosophical Transactions, 1840, Plate XXX. figs. 14 17 ; 1841, Plate XXIII. figs. 135, 136. 
 || We thus find the same process in operation here, which I formerly described as taking place in the so- 
 called " primary" cell, namely, division of the nucleus. 
 ^ Plate. XXIV. figs. 145148. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 99 
 
 blood : they become rings (fig. 48 a) ; the rings pass into coils ; and the coils unite, 
 thus forming spirals (y). The adjacent spirals interlace, from the peculiar arrange- 
 ment, in relation to one another, of the rows of rings (par. 23). In the space 
 circumscribed by the windings of these interlaced spirals, smaller spirals have their 
 origin ; these in turn give origin to others ; and so on. An example of this, in a later 
 stage, is afforded by fig. 58. Here, a represents the outer or larger spirals ; and (3 
 the situation of the inner or smaller ones. The outer spirals gradually disappear, by 
 entering into the formation of the common investing membrane discovered by SCHWANN, 
 and in its formed state well described by BOWMAN, who proposes to denominate it the 
 " sarcolemma-|-." This may perhaps explain the mode of origin of the darker of the 
 longitudinal striae, three of which are represented in fig. 63 (|8, /3, /3) : these being ap- 
 parently the situations of membranous partitions or septa (par. 53), passing into the 
 interior of the fasciculus from the common investing membrane. 
 
 43. The process just mentioned, of smaller spirals arising in the space circumscribed 
 by the larger ones, with the gradual disappearance of the latter, seems to be conti- 
 nued in later stages^. The number of the spirals becomes continually greater, and 
 their size more and more minute (figs. 95, 58, 65), until they reach the number and 
 minuteness represented in figs. 96, 63 : and they attain even a smaller size. 
 
 44. The outer spirals being formed of the outer or ring-like portions of the discs 
 (fig. 48 a), the inner spirals appear to have their origin in the inner part, or nucleus 
 of these discs : and when the inner spirals in their turn enlarge, and new ones form 
 in their interior, the origin of the new spirals, also, seems to take place in the line of 
 continually renovated nuclei ; and so on. 
 
 
 
 45. Fig. 63. presents a state of the muscle-fasciculus, in which it contains what is 
 denominated the " fibril," of a very minute, though not the minutest size. This 
 " fibril " is no other than a state of the object which I have called a flat filament : 
 and which, as we have seen, is a compound structure. The figure (fig. 55) and de- 
 scription (par. 14) by which I have endeavoured to explain the structure of the fila- 
 ment, are especially applicable to the muscular " fibril." This " fibril " I find to be, 
 not round and beaded, as it has been supposed, but a flat and grooved filament, con- 
 sisting of two spiral threads, running in opposite directions, and interlacing at a cer- 
 tain point (a fig. 55) in every wind. A transverse section of this filament, as before 
 mentioned, is rudely represented by the figure 8 . 
 
 t SCHWANN is the discoverer of this membrane ; but we are indebted to BOWMAN for the only complete de- 
 scription hitherto given of it in a formed state. Its mode of origin however, out of spirals, is for the first time 
 described in the present memoir. 
 
 J In young fasciculi I have noticed a transverse space to extend far into the interior ; which is not the case 
 in those more advanced, the cause being the disappearance of the outer and larger spirals, and the continual 
 formation of inner and smaller ones. 
 
 I "have often seen a filament (" fibril") becoming a fasciculus (par. 44). See figs. 56, 57, 84, 64 y. En- 
 larged filaments are well seen in the heart of the Turtle. 
 
 02 
 
100 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 46. This flat filament is so situated in the fasciculus of voluntary muscle, as to pre- 
 sent its edge to the observer (fig. 62) ; the curves of only one of its two spirals being 
 seen. After removal, also, from the fasciculus, the filament very frequently lies, more 
 or less, upon its edge. It seems to have been the appearance presented by the edge 
 of this filament that is to say, by the curves of a spiral thread, that suggested to 
 SCHWANN the idea of longitudinal bead-like enlargements of the fibril, as producing 
 striae in the fasciculus of voluntary muscle. 
 
 47. In my opinion, the dark longitudinal striae are spaces (probably occupied by a 
 lubricating fluid) between the edges of flat filaments, each filament being composed 
 of two spiral threads : and the dark transverse striae, rows of spaces between the 
 curves of these spiral threads. If the dark longitudinal striae are spaces between the 
 edges of flat filaments, it follows that the light longitudinal striae are the edges them- 
 selves of these filaments. And if the dark transverse striae are rows of spaces between 
 the curves of spiral threads, the light transverse striae are of course the visible por- 
 tions themselves of these spiral threads. 
 
 48. I repeat, that the longitudinal filament in the fasciculus of muscle, appears to 
 be composed of two spiral threads, only one of which is seen, from the edge of the 
 filament being directed towards the observer. This filament, or its edge, seems to 
 correspond to the primitive marked thread of FONTANA ; to the primitive Jibre of VA- 
 LENTIN, and SCHWANN ; to the marked Jilament of SKEY; to the elementary Jibre of 
 MANDL ; to the beaded Jibril of SCHWANN, MULLER, LAUTH, and BOWMAN ; and to the 
 granular Jibre of GERBER. 
 
 49. In the Philosophical Transactions for 1840 (p. 605), I suggested that, were the 
 nucleus of the blood-corpuscle the seat of changes such as I had witnessed and de- 
 scribed in other cells, the nucleus might produce the muscular fibril. The foregoing 
 observations show that the conjecture then offered has been realized : but, I must 
 add, in a most unexpected manner. 
 
 50. The chief physiological inferences deducible from a spiral form of the finest 
 threads of muscle, will I think be obvious. At all events, it would be premature for 
 me to introduce remarks on this subject at any length, before my researches are con- 
 firmed by those of other observers. Yet there are two or three conclusions that 
 seem called for, in connection with the foregoing facts. 
 
 51. Every one knows that in proportion as a spiral is shortened, the spaces between 
 the curves of the spiral are made smaller, and the diameter of the spiral expands : 
 while, in proportion as the spiral is lengthened, as by removing further asunder its 
 two ends, the spaces between the curves of the spiral are made greater, and the dia- 
 meter of the spiral is diminished. This may serve to illustrate what takes place in a 
 muscle ; which is no other than a vast bundle of spirals : showing that the muscle in 
 contraction should be short and thick ; while upon the other hand, in relaxation it 
 should be long and thin (compare a and (3 in fig. 66). 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 101 
 
 52. A flattening of " segments " or " particles " in the contraction of muscle-f-, 
 therefore, seems not to be required : and indeed I have in no instance met with seg- 
 ments or particles, which could undergo this change in form. But fig. 66. affords 
 proof that the change contended for really takes place ; this figure exhibiting the ap- 
 pearance of two parts of the same fasciculus, that were actually seen ; the one, a, being 
 in a contracted, and the other, |3, in a relaxed state : and the difference between these 
 two conditions, was seen to result from a difference in the direction of the spirals. 
 At one part, a, the fasciculus being shortened, the spaces (striae) between the curves 
 of the spirals were made smaller, and the fasciculus was thick. At the part |3, the 
 fasciculus being lengthened, the spaces (striae) between the curves of the spirals were 
 made greater, and the fasciculus was thin. 
 
 53. The edges of the flat filaments ("fibrillae") in voluntary muscle being directed 
 towards the observer, the flat surfaces of these filaments are in contact with one an- 
 other (except where septa intervene, par. 42). And those parts of the spirals of two 
 filaments, so in contact, fit together with the most perfect exactness and regularity, 
 appearing to overlap one another, as viewed in situ. The adjacent parts of spirals 
 thus glide harmoniously into a change of place. It will be seen that the view of a 
 recent author, in regard to " segments," was of this kind ; but then he found it need- 
 ful to suppose adhesion of the segments in some way to one another J. And he ap- 
 pears to have figured as bead-like segments , what I consider the overlapping parts 
 of spiral threads. 
 
 585. Many of the drawings that accompany the memoir (figs. 58, 59, 65, 93 95) 
 show that there are states of voluntary muscle, in which the longitudinal filaments 
 (" fibrillae") take no part in producing the transverse striae ; these striae being caused 
 by the windings of spirals, within which very minute bundles of longitudinal filaments 
 are contained and have their origin. The spirals are interlaced (fig. 64 a, j3, y). When 
 mature, they are flat and grooved filaments, having the compound structure above de- 
 scribed. With the shortening of the longitudinal filaments ("fibrillae") in muscular 
 contraction, the surrounding spirals and of course the striae become elongated and 
 narrow : while in relaxation, these changes are reversed. The " convoluted fila- 
 ments" regarded by GERBER as " enigmatical ||," were evidently no other than dis- 
 torted spirals ^f. 
 
 54. The spiral form of the ultimate threads of muscle, above described, will I think 
 elucidate several facts already known, but as it appears to me, not satisfactorily ex- 
 plained. Thus, for instance, combined as I find these spiral threads of muscle, and 
 situated one within the other, there cannot well be much difference in their lengths, 
 when the fasciculus is broken off. Hence in part, probably, it is that the fasciculus 
 
 t BOWMAN, /. c., pp. 493, 494. J Ibid. /. c., p. 470. L. c., fig. 10 b, e.fig. 11. 
 
 || " Elements of the General and Minute Anatomy of Man and the Mammalia." Fig. 83. Explanation of 
 the Plates, p. 35. 
 
 ^f This paragraph was communicated to the Society as a Postscript, Jan. 11, 1842. 
 
102 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 usually breaks off short. The membranous partitions or septa, above described (par. 
 42), no doubt contribute to prevent a difference in length. Besides which, fig. 123. 
 shows that there are states in which the flat filaments (" fibrillae") are shared by more 
 than one surrounding spiral. See the additional observations, par. 119. I would also 
 suggest that the spiral form of the ultimate threads of muscle, shows why it is that, 
 before being broken off, the fasciculus sometimes becomes tapered to a point. An in- 
 stance of this kind is to be seen in fig. 67, representing two portions of the same fas- 
 ciculus. In a, the direction of the curves of the spirals is comparatively transverse ; 
 and this part of the fasciculus is thick : in (3, the direction of the curves becomes more 
 and more oblique, until the fasciculus, rendered in the same proportion thin, termi- 
 nates at last in a point. A very distensible membrane invests the fasciculus to the 
 extremity ; being one of the means by which its spiral contents are held together, 
 during this violent elongation. 
 
 55. In a former paper-f-, I stated that membranes appeared to arise from the coa- 
 lescence of discs. Fully confirming this observation, I have now to add, that, in some 
 instances at least, the discs first form flat filaments, such as those above described ; 
 which filaments become interlaced with other filaments, divide, subdivide, and coa- 
 lesce to form the membranes. The cellular tissue entering into the formation of the 
 sheath of the spinal chord, we saw to become interlaced for this purpose % : and in an 
 earlier series of investigations, I found the incipient chorion to present an appearance 
 somewhat the same. The present memoir contains examples of membrane being 
 formed out of interlacing filaments. Muscle presents an instance of membrane, that 
 of the fasciculus, forming by the interlacement of mere spiral threads, many of which 
 are too minute to admit of their structure being investigated. But the larger of these 
 threads present a compound structure (figs. 125, 68), which admits of being traced 
 into the objects I have termed flat filaments : and minuteness is no hindrance to the 
 smallest undergoing a like change. The origin of this membrane out of spirals, 
 may assist to account for its remarkable distensibility, elasticity, and toughness, 
 pointed out by BOWMAN. This author indeed remarks, concerning it, that though 
 from its minuteness and transparency, " it is difficult to form any decided opinion as 
 to its structure *** it would seem not improbably to consist of a very close and intri- 
 cate interweaving of threads far too minute for separate recognition." But he adds, 
 that " the matter is very doubtful ||." 
 
 56. In the mammiferous ovum, we saw the first cells succeeding the germinal vesi- 
 cle to be few and large ; and that there occurred a doubling of their number with 
 every diminution in their size^j". The same process, essentially, we have since found 
 
 t Philosophical Transactions, 1841, pp. 209, 230, 243. J Ibid., 1841, Plate XXII. fig. 116. 
 
 Ibid., 1840, Plate XXVIII. fig. 252. || L. c., p. 478. 
 
 f Philosophical Transactions, 1840, p. 539. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 103 
 
 to be in operation in the blood-corpuscle at certain periods-}-, and in tables of the epi- 
 thelium J. To meet with a re-appearance of anything like this process, however, in 
 spiral fibres, I was not prepared. Yet here also, something of the kind is actually 
 seen. For, as above described, within the space circumscribed by the windings of a 
 larger spiral, there arise smaller ones, which are sometimes two in number. There 
 is, besides, another way in which the process just referred to re-appears. A spiral, 
 originally single, gives origin to others in the interior of its substance (fig. 70) an d 
 thus, by division and subdivision, gradually acquires considerable breadth (fig. 69), 
 or there may be thus formed several separated spirals (figs. 73, 113 a a). 
 
 57. It will be seen, from the account above given of the formation of the muscular 
 fasciculus, that the young fasciculi have the largest and fewest spirals. In the very 
 young Tadpole, I found a great many fasciculi of this kind: while in the older 
 Tadpole, such fasciculi were less numerous. The fasciculi here presented, generally, 
 an increased number of spirals, with a diminution in their size. 
 
 58. I cannot doubt that the larger spirals perform contraction, as well as the 
 smaller. It is probable that the difference between the contractile force of muscles 
 in childhood and in adult age, is connected with the above-mentioned difference in 
 the number of the spirals. Nor is this supposition inconsistent with the fact, that 
 muscle by constant exercise increases in its bulk. 
 
 59. My observations on the form of the ultimate threads in voluntary muscle, 
 first made on the larva of a Batrachian Reptile, have been confirmed by an examina- 
 tion of this structure in each class of vertebrated animals, including the scaled Am- 
 phibia, and Cartilaginous as well as Osseous Fishes. Such of the Invertebrata, also, 
 as happened to be easily obtainable, were examined, and afforded ample confirmation 
 of those observations. They included animals in the Crustacea (Crab), Mollusca 
 (Limpet, Clam, Cockle, Mussel, Garden Snail, Periwinkle, Whelk), Annelida (Earth- 
 worm), and Insecta (a kind of Caterpillar). 
 
 Facts observed in the Formation and Structure of the Crystalline Lens. 
 
 60. In the Philosophical Transactions for 1841 , I delineated cells, first arranged, 
 like the beads of a necklace, in a line ; and then, by the disappearance of the inter- 
 vening septa, forming a tube, the foundation of the fibres of the Crystalline Lens||. 
 
 61. I have now to state, that within this tube there are formed, in the first place 
 discs (fig. 129), and then filaments (fig. 130 a), having precisely the same structure 
 as the filaments of other parts. Nowhere have I obtained more satisfactory evidence, 
 than in the lens, that these filaments are composed of two spiral threads (fig. 131 (3, y), 
 and that the spirals give origin within their winds to other filaments. 
 
 62. The toothed fibre discovered by Sir DAVID BREWSTER in the lens^[, is formed 
 
 t Philosophical Transactions, 1841, p. 204. J Ibid., 1841, pp. 223, 224. 
 
 Plate XXV. figs. 157, 158. 
 
 || I find that this observation was previously made by VALENTIN. See WAGNER'S Physiologic : erste Ab- 
 theilung, p. 138. ^ Philosophical Transactions, 1833. 
 
104 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 out of an enlarged filament; the projecting portions of the spiral threads in the fila- 
 ment, that is, the apparent segments, becoming the teeth of that fibre. And here 
 it is important to refer to a remark made in a former page (par. 16), that the filament 
 has a tendency to become membranous at the surface, and that it contains within 
 itself the elements of other filaments : both of which qualities may be recognized, 
 as the filament is passing into the toothed fibre. 
 
 63. From my observations on vegetable structure, to be presently referred to (par. 
 68), I venture to anticipate that the toothed fibre noticed by SCHWANN in the epi- 
 dermis of a Grass, and considered by him as corresponding to that of BREWSTER in 
 the lens, will be found to have the same mode of origin. 
 
 Facts observed in the Structure of Blood-vessels, Mould, Woody Fibre, Hair, 
 
 Feathers, 8$c. 
 
 64. In examining the coats of a large blood-vessel, I had noticed the filaments of 
 one stratum to cross those of another stratum at right angles. But what was my 
 surprise, when subsequently directing my attention to the structure of the arachnoid, 
 at the remarkable display of filaments in the vessels of the pia mater (fig. 16.) ! There 
 are few parts in which the flat and compound filaments (" fibres "), so constantly men" 
 tioned in this memoir, are more easily or more distinctly seen, than here. The coats 
 of such of these vessels as are empty, or nearly so, present an inner stratum of fila- 
 ments having a longitudinal direction, and an outer filament spirally crossing these. 
 In the coats of such of these vessels as are full, the outer or spirally directed fila- 
 ment is wanting. Vessels with the same structure are met with, having many times 
 the diameter of the largest of those in fig. 16. 
 
 65. I saw in the olfactory nerve, blood-vessels having two sets of filaments sucli as 
 those now described, as existing in the pia mater ; and their diameter so small, as to 
 admit the blood-corpuscles in only a single row. It is deserving of remark, that the 
 corpuscles observed in this row, presented indications of division into corpuscles of 
 minuter size. 
 
 66. We thus find blood-vessels, the walls of which consist of filaments, having the 
 same structure as those filaments which the blood-corpuscle forms. In connection 
 with the spiral direction of the outer filament in these vessels (fig. 16 /3), as well in- 
 deed as with many facts recorded in this memoir, I refer to the rouleaux in which 
 the blood-corpuscles are seen in the microscope to arrange themselves, as probably 
 indicating a tendency to produce spiral filaments. To form rouleaux, corpuscle joins 
 itself to corpuscle, that is to say, ring to ring, and rings, as we have seen (par. 34), 
 pass into coils. The union of such coils, end to end, would form a spiral. But the 
 formation, by the blood-corpuscles, of these rouleaux, is no less interesting in con- 
 nection with facts recorded in a former memoir ; namely, that structures, including 
 blood-vessels, may be seen to have their origin in rows of cells derived from corpus- 
 cles of the blood. 
 
 67. I have noticed very curious resemblances in mould, arising from the decay of 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 105 
 
 organic matter, to early stages in the formation of the most elaborate animal tissues, 
 more particularly nerve and muscle. Of such mould, figs. 25, 26,34, 78, 97, and 104 
 may serve as examples. They present, it will be seen, mould from a ripe berry, and 
 from decomposing animal substances, including cheese. Some of these figures (figs. 25, 
 26 /3 /3) represent cells, which have applied themselves to one another, and elongated ; 
 in one (fig. 26 y), discs have arranged themselves in rows ; in another (fig. 25), in- 
 terlacing spirals have formed (out of discs) ; in a third (fig. 26 , &), there are seen 
 rings ; in a fourth (fig. 26 ), spiral filaments have been produced, and become elon- 
 gated ; and in a fifth (fig. 78), a bundle of longitudinal filaments is surrounded by 
 one having a spiral form. The plates present very similar appearances, observed in 
 the most important structures of the animal economy. 
 
 68. Flax has afforded most satisfactory evidence of identity, not only in structure, 
 but in the mode of reproduction, between animal and vegetable "fibre." We here 
 find the same division of filaments into minuter filaments, and these again into fila- 
 ments still more minute : as in fig. 76 a, (3, y, 5 states which were noticed in the 
 same fasciculus of flax. There is also seen the same coalescence of some spirals, to 
 form an investing membrane (figs. 109, 110) as is observable in muscle, while others 
 retain the spiral form, and undergo the same division (fig. 113 a) and subdivision 
 (a a). In flax, filaments are frequently met with running in opposite directions 
 around the fasciculus, and forming knots (fig. 101). Some of the flax-fasciculi afford 
 evidence of a continued origin of new spirals in the same centre, after a considerable 
 size has been attained (figs. J09, 110) ; these spirals being curiously interlaced. See 
 the description of figs. 109, 110. Very similar appearances, we have seen in nerve 
 (par. 28). All the filaments in flax now mentioned consist of spirals, connected in the 
 manner above described (par. 14), as their mode of combination in animal tissues. 
 
 69. The difference in the degree of developement exhibited by a flax-fasciculus in 
 different parts, is sometimes very great. Thus the three conditions a, /3, y, repre- 
 sented in fig. 75, were noticed in the same fasciculus of flax. 
 
 70. In cotton, I found appearances of the same kind as those observed in flax-f*. 
 
 71. Hair (fig. 139) presents the same kind of longitudinal filaments, as well as 
 spiral filaments ; some of the latter appearing to be curiously interlaced, and others 
 coalescing to enter into the formation of the investing membrane. Besides the hair, 
 of which a sketch is given in the figure, I have examined that of the Bat, Mouse, 
 Mole, Rabbit, Sheep, Hog, Horse, Polar Bear, and Elephant, as well as the hair of 
 Man ; finding in all instances the filaments in question. 
 
 t It is a little singular, that the flax above mentioned had been spun and woven into the linen cloth used for 
 drying the strip of glass on which the objects lay when examined : portions of these flax-fasciculi detached from 
 the cloth remaining adherent to the glass. I found compound filaments, such as those above described, even in 
 paper, and in dry cork ; in Leghorn grass, taken from a hat ; in the cedar-wood of a pencil ; and in hemp that 
 had been twisted into twine. 
 
 MDCCCXLII. P 
 
106 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 72. Certain hairs of plants have presented thesefilaments with great distinctness. Such 
 has been the case also with the pappus of the Composite (fig. 126). I have examined 
 the pappus in the Sow Thistle, Common Groundsel, and the Dandelion. In the stinging 
 hair of the Common Nettle (fig. 128), the filament is arranged in a manner connected 
 probably with the properties of this hair: the filament, formed, as in other cases, 
 of two spiral threads, being itself coiled spirally upon the inner surface of each hair. 
 
 73. I have rarely seen the filaments in question more distinctly than in feathers 
 from the chick in ovo, incubated fifteen days. The quill extremity exhibited them 
 of larger size than the shaft. 
 
 74. I recognize spiral threads in the feather-like objects from the wing of the Gnat 
 and Butterfly (fig. 141). In the latter they give rise to both longitudinal and trans- 
 verse striae. They are largest at the middle part, near the quill : but it requires close 
 attention, and a very good light, to discern them at all in these objects, so minute is 
 their size, and so closely are they packed together. 
 
 75. As already stated (par. 16), many are the instances in which the microscope 
 fails to detect more than a grooved filament ; the originally crenate edge presenting 
 an unbroken line. Such is often the case in the Spider's web. Yet here also, fila- 
 ments composed in the above way, are to be discerned (figs. 142, 143). Tension 
 renders the filaments of this web less distinct ; or rather, relaxation makes them 
 more so. Sometimes they are single (fig. 143); sometimes two, three, or a larger 
 number (fig. 142), are combined. Knots are sometimes met with, as though a 
 broken filament had undergone repair. 
 
 76. I wound on a strip of glass the cord which a spider was giving off as it de- 
 scended, for the purpose of making its escape; and found this cord to consist of a 
 single grooved filament, in which a crenate edge was no longer to be seen. It has 
 been already stated, that in one kind of cartilage, I found the nucleus of the cell to 
 present the same appearance as a ball of twine. No doubt it is by a provision some- 
 what similar, that the Spider is prepared for an emergency such as that now men- 
 tioned : and indeed for the formation of its web. This seems much more probable 
 than that the filaments are manufactured at the time when used. 
 
 77- When we see a corpuscle enlarging and becoming filled, in one instance with 
 epithelium-cylinders'!-; in another with objects having the appearance of fat-glo- 
 bules]: ; in a third with rudirnental ova ; in a fourth with the materials for bundles 
 of spermatozoa || ; in a fifth with columns of discs for the formation of nervous sub- 
 stance^ ; in a sixth with like columns for the origin of muscle (figs. 28, 30) ; and 
 in a seventh with similar columns for forming the mould of cheese (fig. 26 y), 
 
 t Philosophical Transactions, 1841, PL XXI. fig. 94. J Ibid. PI. XXI. fig. 103. 
 
 Ibid. PI. XXV. fig. 164. 
 
 f Ibid. PI. XXV. figs. 160 to 162. f Ibid. PI. XXIII. fig. 125. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 107 
 
 we cannot but be struck with the great uniformity in type in the earliest stages of 
 formation, however widely different the structures ultimately formed. 
 
 78. On a late occasion-)-, I showed the foundation of the new being, in what are 
 called the highest animals, to have the same structure as that of the simplest plant. 
 We now find this uniformity in type to be recognizable at later periods. For, not 
 only does every tissue seem to arise out of discs having all the same appearance, but 
 the primary arrangement and early metamorphoses of these discs seem to be the 
 same. We recognize the same combination of spiral threads in the mould of cheese, 
 as in the brain of Man. How wonderful the fact, that out of materials so similar, 
 structures should be formed endowed with properties so different ! 
 
 79. I have had an opportunity of examining the spermatozoon from the epididymis 
 of a person who died suddenly J. The large extremity appears to me to be a disc, the 
 pellucid depression in which, corresponding apparently to the '* sugient orifice" of 
 some authors, is probably analogous to the source of new substance in other discs. 
 Each of the two sides of the peripheral portion of the disc is extended into a thread : 
 these two threads forming, by being twisted, the part usually designated as the tail; 
 an appendage the office of which appears to be to " scull" along to its destination the 
 essential part or disc, and more particularly its pellucid centre. The formation of the 
 " tail," as now described, out of two twisted threads, seems to explain the observation 
 of R. WAGNER, who, in rare instances, met with the caudal part double (as I sup- 
 pose, untwisted) at the end. The caudal portion of the spermatozoon in the Rabbit 
 presented a similar structure. 
 
 On the Structure and Mode of Increase of the Vegetable Spiral. On the Reticulated 
 Duct, Annular Duct, and Dotted Duct of Plants. 
 
 80. Having added to spirals from the leaf-stalk of the strawberry, a spiritous solu- 
 tion of corrosive sublimate (par. 7), I soon discerned in their substance something 
 like a compound structure. In about half an hour, the interior of these spirals pre- 
 sented the appearance at a in fig. 71 : that is to say, they were seen to contain two 
 filaments, such as those above described. I therefore consider these spirals to be 
 reproduced in the same manner as those of muscle (figs. 68 to 70 and 73) and of 
 flax (fig. 113 , a ), which I find to become double and quadruple by self-division. 
 
 81. It may be added, that, were the division of the spiral, or at least the separa- 
 tion, to be complete in some parts and not in others, the appearance would resemble 
 that of what is called the " reticulated duct." And the tendency (as it is supposed) 
 of vegetable "fibre" to anastomosis, might be thus explained. 
 
 82. Rings have been mentioned (par. 34), as observed in animal structure ; which 
 rings divide, and pass into coils. Coils are met with (fig. 22 |3) that are equidistant, 
 
 t Philosophical Transactions, 1839, p. 372. 
 
 J For which I am indebted to the kindness of my friend ROBERT H. COOKE of Stoke Newington. 
 
 P2 
 
108 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 and in a line. It appears to be by the union of the adjacent extremities of coils, that 
 there is produced the spiral (see the same figure). Corresponding rings and coils in 
 plants, I have not seen nor sought for : but, with so perfect an analogy before me as 
 that above described, I do not find it easy to believe that they can be deficient there. 
 Now were such rings not to form coils, nor even to divide, but simply to enlarge, a 
 line of them, equidistant within a tube, would have very much the same appearance 
 as the " annular duct " of plants. 
 
 83. If the appearances delineated in figs. 87, 88, 89, 90, as noticed in the roots of 
 a plant, be compared with those in fig. 25, from mould ; in fig. 91, from the cornea 
 of the eye ; and in fig. 131, from the crystalline lens ; as well as with figures of vo- 
 luntary muscle in the lower line Plate VIII., and in other Plates, I think it will not 
 be easy to refrain from believing the appearances in all to be produced by the same 
 kind of structure. This structure, in such of the figures now mentioned as were pre- 
 viously referred to, we have seen to possess a spiral form. As already stated with 
 reference to muscle (par. 42), spiral is formed within spiral ; and the outer spirals 
 more or less completely coalesce to form a membrane. The vegetable figure, fig. 90, 
 seems to represent an advanced state of such as that in fig. 87- In both, as well as 
 in fig. 88, spirals were observed within a tube. These spirals appeared to interlace 
 with one another ; and, by their close contact (fig. 90), to produce the appearance 
 of transverse and elliptical "pores "or "dots." The apparent "dots" or "pores" 
 I believe were no other than spaces between the winds of spirals, contained within a 
 tube. Now spirals interlacing in the above way (figs. 87, 88, 90) must, by a longi- 
 tudinal succession of their winds, produce septa (fig. 90 a) in the containing tube. 
 I cannot help believing that these observations will assist to solve the still undecided 
 question, as to the structure of the " dotted duct." In short, I find it difficult to refer 
 the appearance of the "dotted duct" to any cause but that above described, as pro- 
 ducing the striae in voluntary muscle (par. 53^). 
 
 84. The filaments in plants have often appeared to me to be so placed, that, by 
 alternate contraction and relaxation, they might influence the contents of cells. And 
 surely the structure of these filaments is sufficient to induce the belief, that they per- 
 form an important office in the circulation, including the elevation of the sap. An 
 office of this kind may perhaps belong to spirals in the roots, and elsewhere, such as 
 those in figs. 87 to 90 ; exhibiting, as some of these do, almost transverse striae, like 
 those of voluntary muscle in animals. 
 
 85. A structure presenting the same appearance as that of the essential part of 
 muscle, being found to pervade, it may be said, all other tissues, it is evident that 
 this structure alone does not account for the contractile property of muscle. To 
 what then is the contractile property of muscle owing ? This inquiry my observations 
 do not enable me to answer. It is the duty of an investigator to record the facts he 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 109 
 
 meets with ; difficult as they may be to account for, or even paradoxical as at times 
 they may appear. 
 
 86. It seems probable, however, that to the spiral structure of the filament (" fibre"), 
 we may attribute the elastic and resilient qualities of certain parts ; such as elastic 
 tissue, and cellular tissue, as existing in and under the cutis, and in the parenchyma 
 of the lungs ; the latter being intimately connected with the question, whether the 
 lungs are resilient in expiration. 
 
 87. Other parts in which the filament is found, as for instance some portions of the 
 cutis, are capable of becoming constricted. The existence of filaments may be con- 
 nected with that constriction. 
 
 88. There is, however, one structure in which I have met with the filaments in 
 question, that possesses neither elasticity nor resiliency, nor the property of undergo- 
 ing either contraction or constriction, bone. This objection I have not the means of 
 answering : but may be permitted to remark, that although its original developement 
 (the formation of its cartilaginous state) is after the same type, its completion, for a 
 special purpose, is effected by the addition of bone earth. 
 
 Analogy between the Tissues of Animals and Plants, after (as well as before) their 
 
 Formation is complete. 
 
 89. The remarkable uniformity in structure between the elements of animal and 
 vegetable tissues, pointed out by SCHWANN, I showed in the Philosophical Transac- 
 tions for 1840, to begin with the first foundation of the new being. It will now be 
 seen, I think, from the foregoing observations, that a degree of this analogy between 
 animals and plants exists, not merely in the elements of their tissues, but after the 
 formation of the tissues is complete. 
 
 90. That the nucleus of the vegetable cell, instead of being " absorbed as useless," 
 after the formation of the cell-membrane, performs a part not less important than 
 that which I have described as appertaining to it in animals, there can be no kind of 
 doubt. I happen to have incidentally met with the germinal granules of the mush- 
 room (fig. 27), and of the mould of cheese (fig. 26) ; and have figured them, as pre- 
 senting evidence of this kind. Too much importance, it appears to me, has been 
 attached, of late, to the membrane of the cell ; while the source of the contents of the 
 cell, and apparently of all " secondary deposits," that is, the nucleus, has been 
 overlooked. 
 
 91. It is stated by VALENTIN that in plants, all " secondary deposits" take place in 
 spiral lines. I have already remarked, that in animals, spirals have heretofore ap- 
 peared almost wanting. Should the facts recorded in this memoir, however, be esta- 
 blished by the researches of other investigators, the question in future may perhaps 
 be, where is the "secondary deposit" in animal structure, which is not connected 
 with the spiral form ? But more than this : the spiral in animals, as we have seen, is 
 in strictness not a "secondary" formation ; it is the most primary of all. And the 
 question now, is whether it is not precisely so in plants. 
 
Additional Observations. 
 
 Received April 27, Read May 5, 1842. 
 
 92. I have the satisfaction of stating that since the foregoing memoir was pre- 
 sented to the Society, many gentlemen have afforded me the opportunity of demon- 
 strating to them, either with my own microscope, or with instruments made by 
 POWELL, Ross, or SMITH, the leading facts recorded in it. To one of them (the son 
 of an eminent physiologist, Dr. BOSTOCK) I am indebted for sketches of some of the 
 appearances he saw. Two of these (figs. 145, 146) represent the filament within blood- 
 discs: another (fig. 144) shows a similar filament constituting the muscular fibril. 
 At a, this filament is on its edge: at |3, it presents its flat surface. What gives pe- 
 culiar value to these sketches, is that they were made by one who then for the first 
 time saw the objects in question. 
 
 Facts observed in the Coagulation of the Blood. 
 
 93. In the examination of coagulating blood, discs are seen having two very differ- 
 ent appearances : the one kind comparatively pale, the other very red. It is the 
 latter discs in which a filament is to be found, and which enter into the formation of 
 the clot : the former being merely entangled in it, or remaining in the serum. Ob- 
 servers having directed their attention almost exclusively to the undeveloped discs 
 so remaining in the serum, it is not surprising that they did not discern the filament 
 in question : or that they supposed the blood-discs to be of subordinate importance, 
 and to have no concern in the evolution of the fibrin. 
 
 94: In order to see distinctly the filament within blood-discs, some chemical re- 
 agent should be added, that will remove a portion of the red colouring matter, with- 
 out dissolving the filament itself. I have employed for this purpose either the sub- 
 stance before mentioned (corrosive sublimate par. 7), or chromic acid-f-, or nitrate 
 of silver J, and chiefly the last. 
 
 95. An objection has been taken to the employment of chemical reagents. It rnay 
 be replied (as suggested by my brother JOHN T. BARRY), if the point to be proved 
 by the use of chemical reagents had been, that there exists no visible structure, then 
 the use of those reagents would have been objectionable, because of their known de- 
 structive tendency in a concentrated state. As, however, the point to be proved is, 
 that a peculiar structure does exist, it is not too much to assume, that the appearance 
 of a structure so remarkable could not possibly be produced by the chemical action 
 of one of those reagents, the mercurial compound for instance, when it is also 
 
 f Sp. gr. about 1-040. J A solution consisting of 1 part nitrate silver in 120 water. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. Ill 
 
 shown that the same structure is rendered visible by other reagents; such as the 
 compounds of silver, and of chrome. It is singular that the objection to the use of 
 chemical reagents should have been mooted by parties in the habit of employing ma- 
 ceration, a process of course highly destructive when prolonged for many days. 
 
 96. But the filament may be discerned without any addition whatever, if the coa- 
 gulation has begun, provided its appearance has become familiar to the eye. In the 
 blood of the Newt when so viewed (i. e. without any addition) the discs containing 
 filaments often resemble flask-like vesicles (fig. 149). The membrane of most of the 
 little flasks exhibits folds or creases (ft), converging towards the extremity of the 
 neck. If this extremity is very carefully examined, it is often found that there is a 
 small body protruding (y) : this is no other than the extremity of the filament in 
 question. It is now sometimes possible to discern that the folds just mentioned, 
 mark the situation of the filament within the flask (S). Occasionally a portion of the 
 filament protrudes, sufficient to admit of its remarkable structure (par. 6) being seen. 
 Sometimes the neck of the flask is bent (J3) ; so that, with the filament, there is pro- 
 duced the appearance of a comma. Still, as before said, for a complete examination 
 of coagulating blood, it is advisable to remove a portion of the red colouring matter 
 by some chemical reagent-^-. 
 
 9". There is considerable variety in the appearance of the red portion of the clot. 
 In that of various Mammals, I have seen the following objects: namely, 1. parent 
 cells;}: (fig. 148 a) filled with young corpuscles, resembling Ammonites; 2. groups of 
 young corpuscles (|3), each of which was unwinding into a filament, and comparable 
 to a Turrilite in form ; 3. similar objects of larger size (y), also in groups, as if dis- 
 charged from parent cells ; 4. spiral fasciculi of filaments (5), such as would be pro- 
 duced by the continued elongation and self-division which is represented as incipient 
 in the corpuscles at y. In other instances, the fasciculus of filaments has seemed to 
 arise directly out of a parent cell; by the simultaneous metamorphosis, into fila- 
 ments, of all the contained blood-discs. 
 
 98. The undulations to be observed in the filaments of "cellular" tissue, seem re- 
 
 t When first endeavouring to find the filament in question, the observer should use the clot in blood of the 
 Prog or Newt, three or four hours drawn. Having placed upon a strip of glass a drop of the solution of nitrate 
 of silver, introduce into it a portion of this clot ; and with needles break the same into very minute parts ; cover 
 these with a piece of thinner glass ; press the two glasses firmly together ; and view with a power of 400 or 
 500 diameters. To find the little flasks above described, proceed in the same manner, and use the same clot, 
 but without adding any chemical reagent. Blood (of one of the same animals) should then be examined, first 
 with, and then without chemical reagents, just before its coagulation : and subsequently at various periods 
 during the formation of the clot. I generally employ the Newt (Lissotriton punctatus of BELL) : and obtain 
 the blood by touching a strip of glass with the part from which the head has been removed ; immediately adding 
 a drop of the solution of nitrate of silver, and then a piece of thinner glass. This is done at the end of half a 
 minute, and repeated in one minute, &c. for two or three minutes. The first perceptible changes in coagula- 
 tion may be thus observed. 
 
 J These parent cells, usually elliptical, measured in length from ^'" to j'jy'" (Paris line), and were met 
 with even of a larger size. Their colour blood-red. 
 
112 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 ferable to a spiral mode of origin, similar to that producing the fasciculus of filaments 
 in the clot fig. 148 S. And the formation of spirals out of discs in the clot of blood re- 
 sembles in a striking manner that described in the foregoing memoir, as witnessed in 
 the formation of certain tissues: for instance, nerve and muscle. I have just men- 
 tioned the reproduction of filaments by self-division (fig. 148 y, I) as noticed in the 
 clot : a process obviously the same as that described in the memoir as observed in 
 the tissues. But the analogy does not end here. In a former communication-^- 1 
 figured blood-corpuscles (cells) from which the contents, except the nucleus, had been 
 removed by acetic acid. If those figures be referred to, it will be found that the 
 nucleus so remaining is in many instances double. An examination of coagulating 
 blood enables me now to offer some explanation of this curious fact. 
 
 99. In fig. 150 is sketched a blood-corpuscle (cell) presenting a coiled filament, a. 
 This coil having arisen out of the nucleus of the corpuscle or cell, the residual por- 
 tion of the nucleus became double by self-division : and then each half of the nucleus 
 formed a coil, so that an outer coil contained two smaller coils (ft, /3), each having a 
 pellucid centre for future change. We here again find a process in operation, bear- 
 ing a striking resemblance to that producing tissues. Compare with fig. 147. 
 
 100. Where the supply of nutriment goes on, this process of self-division, and the 
 formation of new solid substance, are continued until an entire tissue is produced. 
 Where that supply is soon exhausted, as in coagulating blood, the process in question 
 is speedily at an end. But here also, as in the tissues, greater firmness is acquired as 
 new substance forms. When the supply of nutriment is exhausted, there is no longer 
 a renovation of the nucleus : and now there is seen a cavity (fig. 152 a). This appear- 
 ance is very frequent in the advanced clot. 
 
 101. The best delineations I have met with of coagulated blood, are those by G. 
 GULLIVER;};. They are to be explained, I believe, by the facts above mentioned : as 
 well as those given by the same observer of morbid growths ; which, like healthy 
 tissues, have their origin in corpuscles of the blood||. 
 
 102. In the blood-clot, corpuscles are seen of a much minuter size than those usu- 
 ally circulating in the animal. Such corpuscles are constantly met with in the clot 
 of the Frog and Newt. They owe their origin to previous corpuscles ; a filament is 
 often to be seen within them ; they are frequently membranous at the surface ; more 
 or less spherical in form ; and generally of a deep red colour. 
 
 103. In a former paper, when describing the origin of the various structures of the 
 body in corpuscles of the blood, I mentioned having noticed a reproduction of red 
 
 t Philosophical Transactions, 1841, Part II. p. 201. Plate XVIII. 
 
 | In GERBER'S " Elements of the General and Minute Anatomy of Man and the Mammalia," PI. XXVIII. 
 
 Ibid. Plates XXIX. XXXI. 
 
 II Dr. HODGKIN informs me that in some perfectly recent cancerous matter which contained particles in many 
 respects resembling those of the blood of reptiles, he saw great numbers of them having an unequivocal tail- 
 like process appended to them, which was evidently formed from the material surrounding the nucleus. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 113 
 
 colouring matter also. The evolution of red colouring matter forms one of the most 
 remarkable changes in the coagulation of the blood (par. 93). 
 
 104. The prodigious rapidity with which filaments form during the coagulation of 
 the blood, will be obvious from the short space of time occupied by this process ; of 
 which the production of these filaments seems to constitute the leading part. 
 
 105. The "notched or granulated fibres" observed by Professor MAYER in the 
 blood-f-, were possibly my flat, grooved, and compound filaments, a particular de- 
 scription of which has been given in the above memoir ; but if so, there is this import- 
 ant difference between the opinion of Professor MAYER and my observations as to 
 their mode of origin. He regards them as representing " free fibrin in the blood," 
 and, from having seen more of them in inflammation, as perhaps the " mechanical 
 consequence of an increased pressure of the blood, by the more rapid and forcible 
 systole of the heart and arteries." He even thinks it possible to produce the same 
 appearances " by drawing the plasma of the chyle into a thread." The filaments I 
 have described are produced in neither of these ways ; but, as we have seen, have 
 their origin in corpuscles of the blood. 
 
 106. On former occasions J, I have mentioned these corpuscles as sometimes ex- 
 hibiting changes in their form. When last referring to this phenomenon, I expressed 
 my conviction that it arose from an inherent contractile power ; an idea which re- 
 peated observation has confirmed, and which has been strengthened by the very 
 decided opinion of several gentlemen to whom I have shown the phenomenon in 
 question. As I had noticed such an inherent contractile property in blood-corpuscles, 
 it was very interesting to me to meet with moving filaments in some blood from the 
 heart, that had stood for a day or two after death . And I have since had the fur- 
 ther satisfaction to find that the fibres just referred to as seen by Professor MAYER 
 were observed by him in the Lamprey to present free and spontaneous motions. 
 
 107. We are indebted to W. ADDISON|| for the discovery of an immense number of 
 "colourless globules," sometimes observable in the clear colourless fluid at the top of 
 coagulating blood. I have had the opportunity of examining blood presenting, in its 
 coagulation, a top-stratum of clear, nearly colourless fluid ; and what I regarded as 
 the "globules" in question. In some blood taken in Pleuritis, I found the number 
 of such " globules " prodigious. They obviously contained discs, the outer of which 
 disappeared on the addition of acetic acid (of the strength of distilled vinegar) : and 
 I was not a little interested on finding the residual contents to present the same ap- 
 
 t FRORIEP'S Notizen, No. 377, April 1841, p. 42. 
 
 : Philosophical Transactions, 1840, Part II. p. 598; 1841, Part II. p. 227. 
 
 The appearance of some of the blood-corpuscles when performing the movements in question, is such as to 
 suggest the idea of a filament being contained within them. 
 
 || " On colourless globules in the huffy coat of the Blood," Lond. Med. Gaz., 1840, vol. xxvii. 
 
 MDCCCXL1I. Q 
 
114 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 pearances as some of those figured in one of my former communications to the Society, 
 as resulting from the addition of this reagent to corpuscles of the blood-f~. It imme- 
 diately became a question with me, whether some of the appearances so delineated 
 were not those of " colourless globules ;" a few of which, it is known, are seen floating 
 along with the red discs. I therefore attentively examined blood-corpuscles in very 
 large number, without having added any chemical reagent: and the result is, that I 
 believe the colourless globules, floating with the red blood-discs, to be no other than 
 these discs in an altered state;};. The colourless globules appear to represent dif- 
 ferent stages in the formation of parent cells, which in a former memoir I showed to 
 have their origin in red blood-discs. 
 
 108. Acetic acid, then, produced such a change in the colourless globules at the 
 top of the coagulating blood just mentioned, that I believe them to have been of the 
 same kind as certain corpuscles usually floating in the blood : corpuscles paler than 
 the rest, and termed " colourless globules." 
 
 109. Are any of the colourless globules in the top-stratum of coagulating blood 
 concerned in producing the buffy coat? ADDISON believes that they "coalesce" to 
 form it. "In a few minutes," says he, "coagulation commenced in streaks and 
 films, all of which were evidently composed by the aggregation of the globules." The 
 optical instrument used by ADDISON was merely a CODDINGTON lens : but the employ- 
 ment of a compound microscope, with very high magnifying powers, has not enabled 
 me to detect any other substance than the globules he pointed out, with the contain- 
 ing fluid, as giving origin to the buffy coat. The fact is, that the globules I met 
 with were no other than parent cells, more or less advanced in producing young 
 blood-discs. In the top-stratum I met with a number of these young discs, dis- 
 charged from their cells, very minute and delicate, and scarcely tinged with red. 
 When the top-stratum had coagulated, these cells were no longer found: but in their 
 stead I saw fibres, such as those in tissues, known to have their origin in cells: not 
 in the cell-membranes, which I find to be of very subordinate importance (par. 90), 
 but in the discs contained within the cells. These fibres were certainly not produced 
 by manipulation^. Among the fibres, nuclei were met with, resembling those in the 
 tissues, which, according to my observations, are descended by fissiparous genera- 
 tion from the nuclei of the original cells (par. 19). In some parts these nuclei were 
 
 f Which, I should now add, were obtained by punctures of the finger. See Philosophical Transactions, 
 1841, Part II. Plate XVII. fig. 23. 
 
 J The figure just referred to, indeed, represents stages in this transition. See the description of that figure. 
 Thus r\ had ceased to be biconcave, and become globular : but the nucleus was indistinctly seen, from the sur- 
 rounding discs and red colouring matter having been imperfectly dissolved. Most of the objects there delineated 
 represent cells, such as before the addition of acetic acid are filled with discs ; only the last formed of which 
 remain visible after the addition of the acid. 
 
 In a paper of later date than those above referred to, W. ADDISON describes the macerated clot as contain- 
 ing " fibres and filaments, having the toughness, cohesion, and elasticity of organized membrane." Lend. Med. 
 Gaz., March 26, 1841. p. 14. This I fully confirm, from many observations. 
 
DR. MARTIN RARRY ON FIBRE. 115 
 
 less obvious : but I noticed in the same situations minute threads of a spiral form, 
 and am inclined to think that they were the nuclei in an altered state. 
 
 110. It is gratifying to me to find in the observations of Dr. REMAK -f- a confirma- 
 tion of one previously communicated to the Royal Society by myself (and realizing 
 an idea of Professor OWEN), viz. the reproduction of the blood-corpuscles by means 
 of parent cells J. 
 
 111. Farther, the observations of REMAK led him to believe that the blood-corpus- 
 cles of the foetal chick of the third week are propagated by " division." I must here 
 add, that division of the nucleus is what I have been long indicating as the mode of 
 reproduction, not only of blood-corpuscles, but of all other cells. 
 
 112. It remains to be seen whether my further observation also, that the parent 
 cells are altered red blood-discs, will not be confirmed. 
 
 1 13. According to Dr. HANNOVER, the pale central fibre or primitive band has no 
 concern in producing the varicosities of nervous fibre: and from the observations of 
 Dr. REMAK, it appears that the pale sheath takes no part therein ; but that it is the 
 opaque sheath ("white substance") that becomes varicose^. This accords with my 
 view (par. 39), that the varicosities result from a rupture in many parts, and a re- 
 coiling, of the remarkable filaments of which (according to my observations) the 
 "white substance" is composed ||. 
 
 1 14. Since the foregoing memoir was presented to the Society, I have seen the re- 
 markable filaments therein described (par. 6) in " false membrane," in the horny 
 tissue of the hoof, in the chorion and amuion of one of the Mammalia, and in the 
 chalazoe of the Bird's egg. The latter consisted entirely of them. 
 
 115. It has long appeared to me questionable, whether the generally received opi- 
 nion is correct, that the chalazre consist merely of coagulated albumen to which a 
 spiral form has been given by revolutions of the ovum in its passage through the ovi- 
 
 t British and Foreign Medical Review, January, 1842, p. 229. From the Medicinische Zeitung, Juli 7, 1841. 
 
 J My paper, recording the above observation, was read January 14, 1841. See Philosophical Transactions, 
 1841, Part II. p. 201. figs. 39, 41 y, 45 x, 53 ft. MULLKR'S Archiv, 1841, p. 512. 
 
 [| A friend has pointed out to me a figure by FONTAKA, which I am glad to have the opportunity of noticing 
 while the paper is going through the press. It shows, I think, that this observer, sixty years since, discerned 
 traces of the filaments of which I find the " white substance" to be composed. He describes a primitive ner- 
 vous cylinder as appearing to have " 9a et la sur les parois quelques fragmens de fils tortueux." (Traite' sur 
 le V6nin dc la Vipere, Tab. IV. fig. 1. p. 279.) 
 
 Another friend has pointed out to me in a recent work by VALENTIN, that has just come into his hands 
 (SAMUEL THOMAS VON SOMMERRING, Hirn-und Nervenlehre), a passage which, so far as it goes, agrees with an 
 observation recorded in the foregoing memoir, namely, the formation of membrane out of spiral fibres (pars. 
 42, 55). VALENTIN states that, under favourable circumstances, it is possible to discern that the delicate mem. 
 brane surrounding the contents of the nerves is formed of fibres ; two of which he describes as appearing to 
 run screw-like around the tube. L. c,, p. 5, 8. 
 
 Q2 
 
116 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 duct. And the observation now recorded, that these structures consist of the remark- 
 able filaments in question, seems sufficient of itself to warrant the belief that they 
 have no such mode of origin. 
 
 116. I have already mentioned having seen these filaments in the shell-membrane 
 of the Bird's egg. This membrane I believe is usually regarded as the analogue of 
 the chorion in Mammalia. Now the chorion of the Mammal, according to my ob- 
 servations, has its origin in corpuscles of the blood : and it is not likely that its ana- 
 logue in the Bird is produced in a different way. 
 
 117. On a former occasion-^-, we saw the incipient chorion, when rising from the 
 " zona pellucida" in the mammiferous ovum, to leave a stratum of unappropriated 
 cells behind it on the " zona," a gelatinous fluid intervening. These cells are sub- 
 sequently appropriated in the thickening of the chorion. I think it possible that it 
 maybe the outer layer of the chorion just mentioned, that is represented by the shell- 
 membrane ; while the stratum of cells left for a while on the " zona" in the mammi- 
 ferous ovum, finds its analogue in the chalazse of the Bird's egg. If so, it will doubt- 
 less be found that the chalazse also have their origin in corpuscles of the blood ; which 
 indeed their structure renders probable. 
 
 118. As already mentioned (par. 53^). many of the figures which accompany the 
 foregoing memoir represent states of voluntary muscle, in which the longitudinal 
 " fibrillae" have no concern in producing the transverse striae. In these states, the 
 transverse striae are caused by comparatively large interlacing spirals, which dip 
 inwards in a manner that may be represented by making the half-bent fingers of the 
 two hands to alternate with one another, and then viewing them on the extensor side. 
 The longitudinal " fibrilke" are contained within the spaces circumscribed by the 
 interlacing spirals. 
 
 119. It is in such states of voluntary muscle, that the fasciculus "breaks off 
 short (fig. 157)-" This breaking off short is a natural consequence of the interlacing 
 of the spirals ; as may be easily shown by a wire model, representing this state of the 
 fasciculus. The fracture of course takes the direction in which there is the least 
 resistance. This direction is the transverse, for in any other there would be a greater 
 number of the curves of spirals to be encountered^:. Sometimes the fasciculus, 
 instead of being "broken off short," is merely notched (fig. 157). These two effects 
 of manipulation, however, differ only in degree ; the cause producing both being the 
 sarne^. This seems to be the explanation of transverse " cleavage." 
 
 t Supplementary Note to a Paper entitled " Researches in Embryology. Third Series : a Contribution to 
 the Physiology of Cells." Philosophical Transactions, 1841, Part II. p. 193. 
 
 J When the longitudinal striae are exceedingly distinct, the fasciculus does not " break off short." This 
 appears to be owing to the absence now of the investing spirals ; which, when present as such, regulate the 
 direction of the fracture. I have already stated them to pass into a membranous form. 
 
 Occasionally the extremities of the ruptured spirals (figs. 156, 157) maybe seen pendent at the part where 
 the fasciculus is broken off or notched. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 117 
 
 120. A late observer seems to have regarded the interlacing spirals, now mentioned, 
 as "the edges or focal sections of plates or discs, arranged vertically to the course of 
 the fasciculi, and each of which is made up of a single segment of every nbrilla-f-." 
 He seems to have mistaken the normal appearances of interlacing spirals, for dis- 
 turbed states of his supposed " discs." The minute anatomy of the tissues is to be 
 learnt in no other way than by tracing them from their earliest origin. 
 
 121. I have in no instance delineated muscle that had undergone maceration, a 
 process open to objection, because putrefactive changes may cause the more delicate 
 portions of a structure to disappear. Can the alleged " beaded" structure of the 
 fibril (which I have never been able to see in recent muscle) be demonstrated with- 
 out maceration ? 
 
 122. This may not be an improper place to draw the attention of future observers, 
 generally, to the effect produced by corrosive chemical reagents, as well as by mace- 
 ration : whether the maceration be continued so as to produce putrefaction or not. 
 It is easy to imagine that, owing to the operation of either of these, a delicate struc- 
 ture may be entirely destroyed, and therefore unrecognized ; or its continuity sepa- 
 rated into isolated parts. And I cannot but think that it must be from some such 
 cause as this (the disintegrating effect of prolonged maceration), that BOWMAN 
 exhibits the fibril of muscle as consisting of beads}:, while my own observations 
 represent it as consisting of a double spiral : and that there is so great a difference 
 between his explanation and my own, of transverse " cleavage." It is true that I 
 also have had recourse to the use of chemical reagents. But there is a wide differ- 
 ence between the presence and the absence of a visible object immediately after the 
 application of a chemical reagent, when the peculiar form of that object entitles it to 
 be considered, not as a chemical compound, but as an organized structure (par. 95). 
 
 " 
 
 123. Observers appear not to have determined the mode in which the "fibres 
 contained in hairs have their origin . Young hair (wool) of the foetal sheep pre- 
 sented to me the appearance, an outline of part of which is sketched in fig. 155. The 
 hair-bulb contained nuclei, which seemed to be unwinding, watch-spring-like, into 
 " fibres," that is, flat, grooved, and compound filaments (a), which I have already 
 mentioned having seen in hair (par. 71). These filaments, immediately after being 
 given off from the nuclei, appeared to interlace. In the shaft they presented very 
 much the same appearance as those in the olfactory nerve (fig. 108). The interla- 
 cing of the filaments produces very remarkable appearances in the shaft of many 
 hairs, as those of the Mouse, Mole, and Rabbit. 
 
 t BOWMAN, /. c., p. 469. 
 
 t As in " three fragments of a macerated heart." BOWMAN, /. c., Plate XVI. fig. 17. 
 See SIMON, in MULLEE'S Archiv, 1841, Heft IV. p. 369 : by whom the researches of HENLB, and those 
 of BIDDER are referred to. 
 
118 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 124. At the commencement of last year, I presented to the Society a communica- 
 tion, in which certain appearances I had noticed in blood-corpuscles were referred to 
 a process of the same kind as that previously described by myself, as witnessed in 
 the germinal vesicle, that is, in the essential part of the ovum. I concluded, that 
 the corpuscles of the blood are generated by a process of the same kind as that 
 giving origin to those cells which are the immediate successors of the germinal 
 vesicle, or original parent cell. The comparison, however, was not then extended 
 beyond the mode of production of young cells. 
 
 125. My subsequent researches show that we may go farther. The changes taking 
 place in the ovum lead to the formation of a new being. Those effected in the cor- 
 puscle of the blood lead to the formation of a filament, endowed with the property 
 of reproducing itself by division. And what is very remarkable, the position of this 
 filament in the blood-corpuscle bears a striking resemblance to that of the young in 
 the ovum of certain intestinal worms, as remarked by Professor OWEN, on seeing my 
 drawings of the filament in corpuscles of the blood-}-. Is the blood-corpuscle to be 
 regarded as an ovum ? 
 
 126. EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. 
 
 PLATE V. 
 
 Fig. 1. Man. Blood-corpuscles, in blood obtained by a puncture of the finger. Each 
 of them has become a filament, having a coil-like form (par. 1). 
 
 Fig. 2. Man. Blood- corpuscles, in blood (obtained by a puncture of the finger) 
 which had stood for some time, between two pieces of glass, in the mi- 
 croscope. Each of them is now a more or less coiled filament. The di- 
 vision of the blood-corpuscle into very minute objects (discs), which may 
 be seen taking place in the microscope, seems to be preparatory to the 
 formation of the filament (par. 25). 
 
 Fig. 3. Man. From the coagulum of venous blood, taken in haemoptysis, a. Fila- 
 ments, for the most part parallel. (3. Blood-corpuscle which has passed 
 into a coiled filament (par. 8). 
 
 Fig. 4. From the same coagulum. a. Filaments ; (3. Rings ; y. Coils, and other ob- 
 jects; all of them altered blood-corpuscles, having the same structure as 
 the filaments a. The whole blood-red. The buffy coat in other blood 
 presented similar filaments, in denser aggregation, and less red (pars. 
 8, 97). 
 
 Fig. 5. Sparrow (Fringilla domestica, LINN.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles, each pre- 
 senting a coiled filament. The figure represents the structure of the fila- 
 ment at a (par. 13). 
 
 t I have already mentioned that the appearance of some of the blood-corpuscles when exhibiting changes in 
 their form, is such as to suggest the idea of a filament being contained within them. 
 

 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 119 
 
 Fig. 6. Sparrow. From the coagulmn of blood, a, (3. Blood-corpuscles (coils) un- 
 winding themselves into the straight and parallel filaments of the coa- 
 gulum (par. 8). The filament (3 is on its edge (par. 6). 
 
 Fig. " Chick (Phasianus Gallus, LINN.) in ovo, incubated twelve days. Sketch of 
 blood-corpuscles (coils), which are unwinding themselves as filaments, 
 a. Parallel filaments, in the same field of view. Blood-red. From the 
 wing. Similar objects seen in the leg (par. 8). 
 
 Fig. 8. Turtle. Sketch of blood-corpuscles containing filaments. In all of these 
 corpuscles, the filament is formed at the outer part. Between this outer 
 part and the centre, the corpuscles a, |3 present discs arranged in lines 
 for the formation of a further portion of the filament (par. 25). In 
 the coagulmn of blood of the Turtle, the same unwinding of corpuscles 
 into filaments was seen, as is described in the explanation of fig. 10. from 
 the Newt, and in other figures. 
 
 Fig. 9. Frog (Rana temporaries, LINN.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles containing fila- 
 ments, a. Even the central part is unwinding itself into a filament. 
 |S. Exhibits a spiral arrangement of the filament, y. Filament on its edge 
 at one part : indistinct at other parts in this corpuscle. &. Discs, also, seen 
 in this corpuscle : their outer part having very much the appearance of a 
 filament. 
 
 Fig. 10. Newt (L'tssotriton punctatus, BELL.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles containing 
 filaments, which are represented only in certain parts, a. The nucleus is 
 double (pars. 98, 99). |3. The outer part of the nucleus resembles that 
 of a ball of twine, from its consisting of a filament, y. The nucleus un- 
 winding itself into a filament, d. The filament on its edge (par. 6). 
 s. Nucleus removed from its corpuscle. It is unwinding itself into a fila- 
 ment. . Corpuscle giving off a filament from its outer part. r\. Filaments, 
 some of them parallel, into which some of the corpuscles have passed. 
 This blood had stood for a while in the microscope (par. 8). 
 
 Fig. 1J. Toad (Rana Bufo, LINN.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles containing filaments. 
 x. The coil-like form of the filament is seen. (3. Represents the outer por- 
 tion of the filament lying on its edge; and rendering this part of the cor- 
 puscle thicker than that immediately internal to it; as well as giving to 
 the corpuscle the appearance of being abruptly cut off (par. 2). <y. In a 
 condition less advanced than a : there being in y more of the central part 
 still in the state of discs (par. 2). 
 
 Fig. 12. Skate (Raia balls, LINN.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles, each containing a 
 coiled filament. This filament on its edge at the circumference (see the 
 explanation of y, fig. 1 1 and par. 2). 
 
 Fig. 13. Cod (Gadus Morrhua, LINN.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles more or less ad- 
 vanced in giving origin to filaments, a. The formation of the filament is 
 
120 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 far advanced ; (3. the outer part is formed, nucleus double (pars. 98^, 99) ; 
 
 y. no part of the filament yet formed ; but discs are arranged in aline for 
 
 its formation (par. 25). 
 Fig. 14. Lobster (Cancer marinus, LINN.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles, each of which 
 
 has become a coiled filament (par. 4). a. Structure of the filament (par. 
 
 6). At (3 the filament is on its edge. 
 Fig. 15. Oyster (Ostrea edulis, LINN.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles, each of which 
 
 has become a coiled filament (par. 4). At certain parts the figure re- 
 presents the structure of the filament (par. 6). 
 
 PLATE VI. 
 
 Fig. 16. Rabbit (Lepus Cuniculus, LINN.). Sketch of blood-vessels in the pia mater 
 a. Longitudinal filaments, merely dotted in, except that on the left, 
 which represents the structure of the filament (par. 6). |8. Outline of a 
 filament spirally investing the longitudinal filaments, y. Structure of 
 this filament. 5. Blood-corpuscles, chiefly young and of very minute size. 
 t. Line marking the situation of the inner surface of the vessel (par. 64). 
 
 Fig. 17. Rabbit. From the spinal chord. Corpuscles, apparently young blood-cor- 
 puscles (a), passing into a compound disc (j3), out of which there is formed 
 either a ring (y) or a coil (5). The larger coils ^, e, seemed to be advanced 
 conditions of y and 5. Colour red (par. 34). 
 
 Fig. 18. Rabbit. Sketch of bodies observed in the retina. The general appearance 
 of such bodies is that of rings, having a very high refractive power (" glo- 
 bules" of authors ?). But they are coiled filaments, often seen to be formed 
 out of rings such as those in fig. 17. Such objects are red (par. 34). 
 
 Fig. 19. Rabbit. From the medullary substance of the brain. Ring-like object or 
 coil, connected, certainly at a and probably at (3, with a filament, the 
 structure of which is seen at y. Blood-red (par. 34). 
 
 Fig. 20. Sheep (Ovis Aries, LINN.). From the grey substance of the cerebellum. 
 Sketch of coils, which are altered discs, such as (3 fig. 17 (par. 34). 
 
 Fig. 21. Sheep. From the spinal chord -f-. Coils, arisen out of discs having the ap- 
 pearance of blood-corpuscles, a Was lying on /3, and apparently enter- 
 ing, with it, into the formation of a tube (see pars. 34. 35). y. Structure 
 of the coiled filaments. 
 
 Fig. 22. Sheep. From the spinal chord -j-. Objects such as those in fig. 21 having 
 united to form a tube (a), other spirals come into view in the interior 
 (which indeed are represented in fig. 21). The continually renewed nu- 
 clei, unwinding themselves, first in one direction and then in the other, 
 give origin to coils, the adjacent extremities of which unite, and then form 
 t White substance from the interspace between the posterior and lateral tracts. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 121 
 
 spirals. The last formed, or forming, of these spirals is seen at /3, together 
 with its structure, y. Represents the nuclei. Spirals were noticed be- 
 tween a and (3, but they are not represented in the figure (pars. 35, 38). 
 
 Fig. 23. Chick in ovo ; twelfth (?) day of incubation. Sketch of a muscle-tube, 
 a. Membrane. (3. Nuclei in the centre of the tube : very near together, 
 y. Spiral. I. Another spiral appearing to arise from some of the nuclei. 
 See the description of fig. 22 |3. 
 
 Fig. 24. Rabbit. From the cortical substance of the cerebrum. Blood-red cell 
 arranged to form tubes. These cells are in outline excepting two, iiv 
 which the contents were seen to consist of discs, or ring-like objects, 
 arranged with regularity, like those in muscle, fig. 45. 
 
 Fig. 25. Sketch of mould on a ripe berry (Rubus fruticosus, LINN.) that had been kept 
 a few days. Cells having arranged themselves in a necklace-like form, 
 have elongated, and spirals are forming in their interior (par. 67). 
 
 Fig. 26. Sketch of mould from cheese, a. Granules, escaped from containing bags. 
 (3, /3. Tubes, still exhibiting the septa between the cells, by the union of 
 which they were formed. One of them is branched. At y, in one of the 
 tubes, are cell-like objects arranging themselves in lines. &. Rings now 
 visible, i. Smaller rings, or interlacing spirals. . Spirals having been 
 formed, they have become very much elongated, so as to appear nearly 
 horizontal (par. 67). 
 
 Fig. 27. Mushroom. Sketch of germinal granules, of a reddish brown or purple 
 colour, from the hymenium. In such granules a nucleus is seen, often 
 consisting of two parts. Around the nucleus are other objects, smaller 
 and having a less refractive power. These are not represented, except 
 in a. (3. Granule, apparently younger than the rest (see par. 90). 
 
 Fig. 28. Tadpole, about 5'" or less. From the tail. Outline of cells, which are 
 altered blood-corpuscles, arranged in a line to form the first muscle-cy- 
 linder or tube (par. 42). 
 
 Fig. 29. Tadpole, about 5^"'. From the tail. Corpuscles having the appearance of 
 young blood-corpuscles, as viewed along with many others in a group, ap- 
 parently escaped together by the rupture of one parent corpuscle. Cells 
 such as those in fig. 28 are filled with young corpuscles or discs, appa- 
 rently of the kind represented in the present figure (par. 42). 
 
 Fig. 30. Tadpoles, 4^"' to 5'". From the tail. Fragments consisting apparently of the 
 contents of objects such as those in fig. 28 ; the discs (fig. 29) in which 
 have arranged themselves in columns. The fragments are for the most 
 part in outline, except (3. y Presented a membranous appearance at the 
 surface, not seen in a and (3. a Was of such length as to appear like 
 two of the cells in fig. 28, not separated from one another. I. Appear- 
 ance presented by one of the compound discs in the columns (par. 42). 
 MDCCCXLII. R 
 
122 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 Fig. 31. Tadpole, 4'". From the tail. Compound discs resembling those in figs. 
 29 and 30. The adjacent ones seemed to have united at a certain part, 
 so as to produce a spiral form. The two bodies in this figure appear to 
 be two columns such as those in fig. 30 (par. 42). 
 
 Fig. 32. Tadpole, 5'". From the tail. Tubes the parietes of which consist of spirals, 
 forming out of discs such as those in fig. 31 (par. 42). 
 
 Fig. 33. Tadpole. From the tail. More advanced stage of the same kind of tubes 
 (par. 42). 
 
 Fig. 34. Mould, found on the left auricle of a sheep, several days dead. It is almost 
 entirely in outline. The figure represents two parallel and contiguous 
 tubes ; each tube lined by what appeared to be smaller tubes. The divi- 
 sions between the latter are shown by dots. Within the larger tubes, there 
 were highly refracting globules (see the figure), varying much in size, 
 and some of them, when first seen, were easily moved in the longitudinal 
 direction of the tube. They probably were contained in a fluid. Within 
 the smaller tubes on the left hand, were seen either rows of discs (y), or 
 filaments ((3). The smaller tubes on the right hand (a) presented a central 
 cavity ; these being probably more advanced than the tubes at j3 and y. 
 
 PLATE VII. 
 
 This Plate represents the Formation of Muscle. 
 
 Figs. 35 to 44. Chick in ovo ; incubated twelve days. Early stages in the formation 
 
 of muscle, from various parts of the body. Very much in outline. 
 Fig. 35. There are seen parietal nuclei, with orifices in them : these orifices 
 corresponding to the "nucleoli" of authors. At a, the discs are 
 arranging themselves in a spiral form even around the orifice, i. e. as 
 soon as formed. A large spiral invests the whole. 
 
 Fig. 36. The figure represents the central part of a tube (a) and a spiral (|3). At 
 the outer part, in a, are longitudinal filaments. The spiral (3 sur- 
 rounded these filaments. The inner part of a is occupied by cells. 
 Each cell has a highly refracting nucleus, and is filled with discs. 
 The nucleus in each cell has an orifice ("nucleolus"). 
 Fig. 37. Mere outline. The nuclei have positions different from those of the 
 
 nuclei in fig. 36. 
 
 Fig. 38. Some of the filaments contained in the tube present their edges, others 
 their flat surfaces to the observer. In the middle of the tube there 
 are nuclei, small and in near approximation. The tube is flat. 
 Fig. 39. a. Spiral filament. (3. Longitudinal filament ; parallel to which, are 
 others of the same kind in outline, y. Nucleus divided into several 
 parts (discs). 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 123 
 
 Fig. 40. More advanced state of apparently corresponding objects ; the fila- 
 ments enlarged. 
 
 Fig. 41. a. The points of contact in the spiral threads, which constitute the 
 filament, beginning to separate. /3. This separation more complete 
 (par. 27). 
 
 Fig. 42. Appearances, in three instances, of the nuclei in muscle-tube. The 
 dots show merely the breadth of these tubes. We have here evidence 
 of division (a) and subdivision ((3) of the nucleus, with a diminution 
 in its size (par. 42). Filaments were very distinct in the tube (3. 
 Fig. 43. Sketch showing some displacement of filaments by the nucleus ; and 
 slight enlargement at this part in the breadth of the tube. It is the 
 edges of the filaments that are seen in this figure. 
 
 Fig. 44. a. Nuclei and spirals contained in a tube. /3. Another part of the same 
 tube : its diameter greater ; and this part filled with discs, the ar- 
 rangement of which was regular (pars. 22, 42). These discs quite red, 
 and resembling young blood-corpuscles (par. 42). 
 
 Fig. 45. Chick in ovo ; incubated twelve (?) days. Outline of the extremity of a 
 muscle-tube, and its contents. These were discs, having precisely the 
 same appearance as young blood-corpuscles (par. 42) ; and they were 
 arranged with great regularity (pars. 22, 42) in the tube (see the explana- 
 tion of fig. 48). 
 
 Fig. 46. Tadpole, 5^'". From the tail. Muscle-tube containing discs having the 
 same appearance as young blood-corpuscles (par. 42), each of which ex- 
 hibited bright points near the centre, these denoting the situations of 
 future discs (par. 44). 
 
 Fig. 47. Turtle. Muscle-tube from the heart. The tube contains rings linked toge- 
 ther, and preparing to form interlaced spirals (pars. 22, 42). 
 
 Fig. 48. Tadpole, 5^'". Muscle-tube. From the tail. a. Rings, arranged with great 
 regularity in the same way as the discs in figs. 45 and 46. /3. Structure of 
 the rings, y. Spirals formed out of such rings (pars. 22, 42). I. Structure 
 of the spirals. Each ring appeared to contain the elements of future 
 rings (par. 44), not represented in the figure. 
 Fig. 49. Tadpole, 5^'". Muscle-tube, in which are seen interlacing spirals, each of 
 
 which surrounded minuter objects (filaments ?). 
 
 Fig. 50. Tadpole, about 5"'. Muscle-filament ("Jibrir) on its flat surface. It mea- 
 sured in breadth y^oo'" (P ai> - 45 )- 
 Fig. 51. Young Monoculus. Flat surface of a muscle-filament (" fibril"), observed 
 
 in the leg, near its extremity (par. 45). 
 
 Fig. 52. Turtle. From the heart. Muscle-filament (' fibril") on its flat surface 
 (par. 45). At the lower part the two spiral threads composing it have 
 become unconnected. One of these threads still presents the spiral form. 
 
 R2 
 
124 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 Fig. 53. Chick in ovo ; incubated fifteen days. From the leg. Filament, seen with 
 an immense number of other filaments, forming a very large muscle- 
 fasciculus (par. 45). 
 
 Fig. 54. Periwinkle. Interlacing spirals. The lower part of a was not very distinctly 
 seen on the left side. /3. Similar objects, but larger. They are in outline. 
 y. Seen with great distinctness (par. 45). 
 
 Fig. 55. Scheme, illustrating the structure, apparently, of the objects figs. 40 a, 
 41 a, |3, 52, 54, 56, 83, 84, and of every object termed in this memoir a 
 filament, flat filament, or band, i. e. a " fibre" (pars. 13, 14). 
 
 Fig. 56. Turtle. Portion of muscle from the heart. It is a filament, composed of 
 two interlaced spirals (par. 45) ; but very much larger than usual. At 
 the filament is broadest : at (3 it is narrower, perhaps from elongation : 
 at y it is twisted ; and it is the (narrow) edge of the filament that is 
 here seen (par. 44 Note). 
 
 Fig. 57- Chick in ovo ; incubated fifteen days. Interlacing spirals, a. Two nuclei, 
 with orifices (" nucleoli"), in the space circumscribed by one of the 
 spirals (par. 44). 
 
 Fig. 58. Tadpole, 65'". Four spirals visible on one side of the fasciculus ; in each of 
 which were seen two filaments (par. 42). An appearance of fibres cross- 
 ing one another (spirals entering into the formation of the investing 
 membrane ?) was observed at the outer part. They are not shown in the 
 figure. 
 
 Fig. 59. Tadpole. From the tail. A small muscle-fasciculus, in which are seen 
 spirals surrounding objects, probably filaments, too minute to be ex- 
 amined in this state. On the left side, one of the spirals is ruptured, 
 (par. 42). 
 
 Fig. 60. Scheme, showing the structure of objects illustrated by fig. 55, in an altered 
 state (see pars. 27, 38, 39). 
 
 Fig. 61. Muscle-filament (" fibrilla") from the iris of a fish, on its flat surface 
 (par. 45). 
 
 Fig. 62. Tadpole, about 6'". Sketch of the widened or brush-like extremities of two 
 ruptured fasciculi of muscle (par. 1 19 Note.) a. Two filaments (" fibrillse"). 
 The inner of these filaments presents its edge only. The outer filament 
 exhibits at the upper part, its flat surface ; and at the lower part, its 
 edge: i. e. this filament is twisted (par. 45.). Dots represent the situa- 
 tions of the other filaments in these two fasciculi. 
 
 Fig. 63. Tadpole. Sketch of a fasciculus of muscle, broken off at the upper part. 
 The transverse and longitudinal striae, are represented by lines, except at 
 a, where the structure is delineated fully. This part shows the edge of 
 six filaments (" fibrillee") (par. 45). (8, /3, (3. These longitudinal striae 
 darker than the rest (par. 42). 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 125 
 
 Fig. 64. Muscle ; a, y, from the Lobster (after boiling) ; 5, from the Sheep, a, y. 
 Interlaced spirals, which are compound filaments. Their structure is 
 seen at |3. Dots represent the situation of longitudinal filaments, sur- 
 rounded by the spirals a, y. 8. Appearance inducing the belief that the 
 transverse striae cross the fasciculus in a continuous line, until the parts 
 are more minutely examined (see the objects a, y, and par. 120). 
 
 Fig. 65. Tadpole, 8'". From the tail. Muscle-fasciculus more advanced than that 
 in fig. 94. It presents on one side four interlacing spirals ; each spiral 
 a compound object. Their contents not shown. 
 
 Fig. 66. Young Crab. Two portions of a fasciculus of muscle : a. Contracted; and 
 (3, relaxed (see par. 52). The arrow shows the longitudinal direction 
 of the fasciculus. 
 
 Fig. 67. Tadpole. Two portions of a fasciculus of muscle, a. The edges of four fila- 
 ments (" fibrillse") are seen, unchanged. (3. Extremity, elongated to a 
 point before being broken. In (3, the direction of the spirals is very 
 much altered. The upper part of ]3 may serve to convey an idea of the 
 state of a fasciculus in extreme relaxation (par. 51). |3 Appeared to be 
 invested by a highly elastic membrane (par. 54). The extreme point of 
 /3 was at the distance of -^j-'" from a. 
 
 PLATE VIII. 
 
 Fig. 68. Tadpole, 5^'". From the fail. Appearance near the surface of an object 
 such as the larger of those in fig. 73, after the addition of acetic acid of 
 the strength of distilled vinegar. The discs it presented (fig. 68) seem 
 to have been the essential part of spirals such as the larger of those in 
 fig. 73 ; the outer part of which had been removed by the acetic acid, 
 a. The discs seemed to be composed of minuter discs (par. 55). 
 
 Fig. 69. Tadpole, about 5'". From the tail. Spirals detached from a fasciculus of 
 muscle ; in a quadruple coil (par. 80). 
 
 Fig. 70. Tadpole, about 5'". From the tail. Spirals detached from a fasciculus of 
 muscle ; in a double coil (par. 80). 
 
 Fig. 71. Strawberry (Fragaria vesca, LINN.). Spiral from the leaf-stalk. This spiral 
 is a compound object, containing filaments (" fibres") (par. 80). 
 
 Fig. 72. Sheep. From the white substance of the cerebellum. A spiral filament, 
 a. Structure of this filament (par. 35). 
 
 Fig. 73. Tadpole, 5^'". From the tail. Sketch of two sets of spirals ; several being 
 parallel in each. The spaces circumscribed by these spirals presented 
 discs ; and the spirals exhibited more or less distinct traces of discs in 
 their substance (par. 55). 
 
126 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 Fig. 74. Flax, dividing and subdividing into filaments (" fibres"). At a, and in part 
 of |3, a membrane-like investment prevented the structure from being 
 seen (pars. 69, 62). 
 
 Fig. 75. Similar division of flax. The same fasciculus presented the three states a, 
 ft y (par. 69). 
 
 Fig. 76. Similar division of flax ; the states a, /3, y and 5, having been seen in the 
 same fasciculus (par. 69). 
 
 Fig. 77- Sheep. From the spinal chord -f. Sketch of a fasciculus of nerve. At a, a 
 spiral crosses the entire fasciculus : at |8, one half of the fasciculus is 
 crossed by another spiral (par. 39). 
 
 Fig. 78. Sketch of mould from a ripe berry (Rubus fruticosus, LINN.). It presents a 
 fasciculus of filaments, surrounded by a spiral filament (par. 67). 
 
 Fig. 79. Tadpole, about 5'". Portion of muscle. From the tail, presenting interlaced 
 spirals (par. 45). These are more transversely curved at the upper part, 
 and the object (filament) is therefore wider here than below, where the 
 direction of the curves is more oblique. At a part still lower than the 
 figure shows, the object was as broad as at the upper part of the figure : 
 and here also there was a corresponding change in the direction of the 
 spirals (par. 51). 
 
 Fig. 80. Sheep. From the spinal chord -f-. Sketch of spiral filaments (a), surrounding 
 filaments having a more (yet not perfectly) longitudinal direction ((8). 
 Internal to the latter, was a broad " band-like axis" (y), exceedingly de- 
 licate, and consisting of very minute filaments, such as those in fig. 8 1 . 
 (par. 36). 
 
 Fig. 81. Sheep. From the spinal chord-f-. a. Dots, showing the curves of a spiral. 
 These curves presented great irregularity in their direction, which has 
 not been imitated in the figure. |8. Delicate " band-like axis" (corre- 
 sponding to that in fig. 80), consisting of minuter filaments. Spirals 
 seen in the latter (par. 36). 
 
 Fig. 82. Sheep (?). From the grey substance of the cerebellum. Sketch of a fasci- 
 culus of nerve, consisting of two halves. Two spiral filaments are seen, 
 the one surrounding half of the fasciculus, and the other surrounding the 
 whole of it. The latter spiral is removed from the fasciculus at the 
 lower part (par. 39). 
 
 Fig. 83. Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus, LINN.). From the root. Sketch of two 
 interlaced spirals, invested by something like a membrane (par. 83). 
 
 Fig. 84. Tadpole. Sketch of two interlaced spirals in muscle, forming a very large 
 filament (par. 45). Between a and (3, the filament is twisted ; present- 
 ing here, therefore, a thinner part, its edge. 
 
 Fig. 85. Sheep. From the spinal chord -f-. Sketch of a fasciculus of nerve. The upper 
 
 t See the note, p. 120. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 127 
 
 or outer part a, is in mere outline. The lower or inner part appeared to 
 correspond to that marked y in fig. 80, and (3 in fig. 81 ; but was in a 
 more advanced state, the filaments (very minute and delicate in figs. 80 
 and 81) having enlarged, and separated from one another. The spirals 
 in these filaments are represented at certain parts () (par. 36). 
 Fig. 86. Sheep. From the spinal chord -f-. Sketch of filaments. They represent a 
 
 state more advanced than those in fig. 85 (/3) (par. 36). 
 
 Fig. 87 to 90. From the root of the Sow Thistle. Most of the objects represented in 
 these figures, have the appearance of being merely " dotted," when viewed 
 at certain distances (par. 83). 
 
 Fig. 87. The tubes sketched in this figure were filled with interlaced spirals, 
 which are represented only at certain parts. In the tube a, the direc- 
 tion of these spirals is unaltered. In /3, partly separated from the 
 other tubes, the spirals have been distorted ; precisely the change 
 that takes place in muscle (par. 54). y. Extremity of the tube 
 /3, elongated to a point, with a corresponding elongation of the con- 
 tained spirals. Compare with fig. 67, from muscle, and see the de- 
 scription of fig. 67. 
 
 Fig. 88. Corresponding tube, in a state more advanced, and the spirals, there- 
 fore, more numerous and smaller, a. Surface of the tube ("dots"). 
 j3. Interior (par. 83). 
 
 Fig. 89. a. Interlaced spirals, nearly resembling those in fig. 87- /3. Interlaced 
 spirals in a distorted state (par. 54). y. Drawn by reflected light, 
 exhibits interlaced spirals. Compare with figs. 92, 93, and 94, from 
 muscle. 
 
 Fig. 90. The tube in this figure presents the appearance, merely, of transversely 
 elliptical, and bright " pores" or " dots ;" which in reality are spaces 
 between the curves of interlacing spirals, such as those in figs. 87, 
 88, and 89, the curves being concealed in fig. 90. The more su- 
 perficial of the spirals in fig. 90, seem to be coalescing into a mem- 
 branous substance, which conceals the inner ones. a. One of the 
 "septa," formed by the interlacing spirals (par. 83). 
 
 Fig. 91. Sheep. Filament consisting of interlaced spirals, from the cornea. The 
 cornea appeared to be wholly composed of filaments in the densest ag- 
 gregation, and running in every direction. 
 Fig. 92. Turtle. Interlaced spirals, from the heart. 
 
 Fig. 93. Chick in ovo ; incubated fifteen days. a. Sketch of interlaced spirals in 
 muscle. On the right, at the lower part, are portions of a ruptured 
 spiral, adherent to the rest. The object |8 represents a young fasciculus 
 of muscle. Compare it with fig. 89 y, and see par. 83. 
 t See the note, p. 120. 
 
128 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 Fig. 94. Tadpole, about 5'". From the tail. Young muscle-fasciculus, presenting 
 on one side three interlacing spirals, with their contents. This object 
 very much resembles |3 of fig. 93, but is larger. The alternation of the 
 inner spirals in a large fasciculus, may be seen by gradually shortening 
 the focal distance. 
 
 Fig. 95. Tadpole, 5^'". Superficial part of a muscle-fasciculus presenting interlaced 
 spirals (par. 42). , 
 
 Fig. 96. Tadpole, about 6"'. Muscle-fasciculus presenting on one side five interlaced 
 spirals (par. 42). The transverse striae somewhat distorted by manipu- 
 lation. 
 
 PLATE IX. 
 
 Fig. 97. From mould formed on a portion of the heart. . Tube containing fila- 
 ments, apparently spirals, running in different directions, and cross- 
 ing one another. The filaments are dotted merely. It is their edges 
 which are thus represented. |8. Tube containing interwoven spiral fila- 
 ments, in outline except at one part (par, 67). 
 
 Fig. 98. From the same mould. The figure represents two parts of a tube, contain- 
 ing filaments. In the part a, some of the filaments are very longitudinal ; 
 others more spiral, and interlacing. In the part |3, the spiral filaments (S) 
 are more transversely spiral ; they seemed to have been broken off at this 
 part, and had perhaps recoiled in consequence (par. 39). At y, are fila- 
 ments transversely spiral ; and forming a narrow mass, occupying only 
 the middle of the tube. S. Structure of the filaments. 
 
 Fig. 99. Sheep. From the spinal chord-f-. Fasciculus of nerve. The figure represents 
 only a part of the many spiral filaments seen in this object. Between 
 some of these spiral filaments (a) were enlargements (|3). y. Structure of 
 the spiral filaments, as well of those at , as of the others. , I. Longi- 
 tudinal filaments, t. Central space, much more pellucid than the rest. 
 This central part is the place of origin of new substance. There seemed 
 to be in the interior, filaments interlacing with one another. These are 
 not represented (par. 39). 
 
 Fig. 100. Sketch of fasciculi of flax. In a, are seen longitudinal and spiral filaments. 
 In (3, the filaments seemed to interlace (par. 68). 
 
 Fig. 101. Sketch of a fasciculus of flax; the interior not shown. Here and there, 
 and in some degree at pretty regular distances, it was crossed by trans- 
 verse filaments running in opposite directions. At a, there were two of 
 these filaments in each direction (par. 68) ; at (3, there was only one. 
 Where these filaments (a and |3) were situated, the diameter of the fasci- 
 
 t See the note, p. 120. 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 129 
 
 cnlus was greater than elsewhere, independently of the presence of the 
 filaments (a and |3). In some parts a single transverse filament crossed 
 the fasciculus, without being met by one in the opposite direction. 
 
 Fig. 102. Sketches of fasciculi (the "primitive fibres" of authors) in the ischiatic 
 nerve. All that is intended by this figure, is to show the breadths of the 
 fasciculi, and to give some idea of the direction of such of the contained 
 filaments (" white substance," par. 28) as are represented, which is by no 
 means all that were present in these objects, a and y. Filaments inter- 
 lacing. |8. Filaments more longitudinal. In (3, the interior seemed fluid, 
 or nearly so. 
 
 Fig. 103. Chick in ovo; incubated twelve days. Very young muscle-tube in a state 
 resembling that in fig. Ill (see the description of fig. 111). The longi- 
 tudinal filaments are all represented by dots except one, which is seen on 
 its flat surface. The spiral filament is in outline. 
 
 Fig. 104. Sketch of a fasciculus of filaments from mould on a ripe berry. The same 
 mould as that in fig. 78. 
 
 Fig. 105. Sheep. Sketch, showing the diameter, and undulating, soft appearance of 
 two of the fasciculi in the medullary substance of the cerebrum. In one 
 of these, some of the contained filaments are represented. 
 
 Fig. 106. Sheep. Sketch of fasciculi from the cortical substance of the cerebrum, 
 wholly composed of filaments. One of these fasciculi, a, is in outline 
 only. In the other, /3, filaments are represented ; but these are merely 
 dotted in, with one exception, y. These filaments did not appear tense, 
 but of the same softness as those from the olfactory nerve, fig. 108. 
 S. Division of the fasciculus into two parts. 
 
 Fig. 107. Rabbit. Fasciculus from the optic nerve. It consists of filaments, lying 
 loosely together, and less distinctly circumscribed by a membranous in- 
 vestment than those of the " white substance" in, for instance, the ischi- 
 atic nerve (par. 32). 
 
 Fig. 108. Rabbit. Fasciculus from the olfactory nerve. See the description of fig. 
 107, which is quite as applicable here. The appearance is well repre- 
 sented in this figure (par. 32). 
 
 Fig. 109. Sketch of a fasciculus of flax. It represents very few of the filaments seen 
 in the interior, a. Membrane at the surface divided at this part. |3. Fila- 
 ment having a longitudinal direction, y. Direction of more oblique 
 filaments, e. Central body, surrounded apparently by a fluid. In other 
 parts of the fasciculus, e was not visible. It appeared to have resolved 
 itself into the interlaced Jilaments Jig. 110; each of the threads in & pro- 
 ducing several Jilaments. 
 
 Fig. 110. Part of the same fasciculus of flax as that in fig. 109. a. Division of an 
 investing membrane. In the interior were interlaced, and apparently 
 MDCCCXLII. s 
 
130 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 spiral, filaments, probably arisen out of part of i fig. 109. See the ex- 
 planation of fig. 109. Several of these filaments are represented in the 
 figure, and parts of others are shown in outline. These filaments were 
 tense. The direction of (3 seemed longitudinal. 
 
 Fig. 111. Chick in ovo; incubated twelve (?) days. From the leg. A very young 
 muscle-tube in which there are seen five filaments. The figure represents 
 the edges of these filaments. Two of them are close together, and so ap- 
 plied as to produce almost transverse striae; three are loosely situated 
 in the tube. Such filaments appear to become enlarged into such as 
 those in figs. 40, 41. 
 
 Fig. 112. Frog. From a nerve of the leg. a, (3. Fasciculi or tubes (the so-called 
 " primitive fibres"). In a, is seen one of the filaments (" white substance," 
 par. 28) which lie loosely together in these tubes. This filament is on 
 its flat surface. Dots indicate the situation of other filaments. In |3 are 
 represented four of these filaments, all on their edges. The direction 
 of three is oblique, y. Filament, the structure of which was remarkably 
 distinct. S. Similar filament, but more minute and on its edge. 7 and $ 
 seen in fasciculi such as those at and ft. 
 
 Fig. 113. Sketch of a fasciculus of flax. a. Spiral, composed of two filaments, the 
 structure of which is seen at the extremity. Compare with a a of the 
 present figure ; with spiral from the leaf-stalk of the Strawberry, fig. "J\ ; 
 with that in flax fig. 101 ; with those in muscle, figs. 69, 70 ; and see 
 par. 80 on the reproduction of spirals by division. a. Spiral running 
 in the opposite direction ; and consisting of four filaments (see the refer- 
 ence above). The filaments surrounded by the spirals a and a a, are 
 seen for the most part on their edges, in the figure. They have the same 
 structure as the filaments of the spirals a and a a. A cavity in the middle 
 of the fasciculus. Acetic acid. 
 
 Fig. 114. Rabbit. Filaments found in the retina. The number seen was very great, 
 a. Is on its edge. (3. The upper part on its edge ; the lower on its flat 
 surface (pars. 6, 14). 
 
 Fig. 115. Rabbit. Filaments from the medullary substance of the cerebrum. . On 
 its edge; (3. on its flat surface (pars. 6, 14). 
 
 Fig. 116. Rabbit. From the cortical substance of the cerebrum. (3, y. Filaments, 
 the former on its flat surface, the latter on its edge (pars. 6, 14). 
 
 Fig. 117. Frog. From the spinal chord, a, a, (3. Filaments; a, a, on their edges; 
 (3. on its flat surface (pars. 6, 14). y. Varicose object, the enlargements 
 often at pretty equal distances. I have seen the pellucid central part 
 (nucleus?) of one of these enlargements to run along the object, and pass 
 into another enlargement, which was thus increased in size. 
 
 Fig. 118. Rabbit. Sketch of an object noticed in the lachrymal gland (see par. 40). 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 131 
 
 . Interlacement of filaments. /3. Structure of these filaments, y. Spirals. 
 &. Their structure, i. Outline of trunk ; into which passed. 
 Fig. 1 19. Advanced state of such an object as i, fig. 109. 
 
 PLATE X. 
 
 Fig. 120. Tadpole, about 5^'". Corpuscles, having the same appearance as young 
 blood-corpuscles, connected like the links of a chain (par. 23). 
 
 Fig. 121. Tadpole, about 6"'. Sketch of muscle-tubes, as seen lying together, several 
 of them exactly parallel, and the whole apparently discharged from a 
 parent structure (par. 42). No more than the most superficial portion 
 of their contents is shown ; and this only at certain parts. Some of these 
 tubes (a) present at least two spirals ; in another (|3) are interlaced spi- 
 rals ; and in a third (y), there are rings for the formation of interlacing 
 spirals (par. 42). Very weak acetic acid. 
 
 Fig. 122. Tadpole, 55'". Similar tubes, a. The direction of the spirals is exceedingly 
 oblique. (3. Interlaced spirals. S. The number of spirals appears to be 
 three. 
 
 Fig. 123. Tadpole, 5^'". From the tail. Muscle-fasciculus in which the objects y are 
 surrounded by spirals, (3, in such a manner, that each y is shared by two 
 of |8. a. Larger spiral, common to the foregoing (par. 54). 
 
 Fig. 124. Tadpole. Muscle-tube representing different states of the more central 
 (a, (3), as well as the conditions of the more superficial (y, S) parts, 
 a. Discs not in lines. 0. Larger discs, near the centre, and in something 
 like lines, y. Discs overlapping one another, and in some parts appearing 
 as if linked together. These more superficial than the discs |3, and nearly 
 on a level with the interlaced spirals S ; which correspond to y of fig. 48. 
 
 Fig. 125. Turtle. From the heart. Sketch of interlacing spirals. Each spiral is a 
 flat and compound filament ; the edge of which filament is directed to- 
 wards the observer. Every spiral thread appears to contain nuclei ; and 
 may therefore become a compound filament (par. 55). 
 
 Fig. 126. Dandelion (Leontodon Taraxacum, LINN.). Sketch of a portion of the pap- 
 pus. Longitudinal filaments (j3) in the interior are represented by dots. 
 These filaments are collected into fasciculi by spiral filaments (a) ; the 
 longitudinal filaments being represented by rows of dots, their structure 
 is shown at y. 
 
 Fig. 12/. Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris, LINN.). From the root, a, |3. Sketch of fila- 
 ments. The structure seen in certain of them, y Represents the struc- 
 ture of the filaments (3, and their larger size. 
 
 Fig. 128. Nettle (Urtica dioica, LINN.). The figure represents, between a and /3, 
 the breadth of a hair from the leaf-stalk ; and filaments on the inner sur- 
 
 s 2 
 
132 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 face of the hair. y. Structure of the filaments, and frequent position with 
 reference to the surface. The dots show merely the direction of other of 
 the filaments : this direction being spiral. Their distance from one an- 
 other is different in different hairs. A similar appearance observed in 
 hairs from the under surface of the leaf and from the stem (par. 72). 
 Fig. 129. Fretal Sheep. From the crystalline lens. Sketch of tubes containing discs. 
 
 A space in the middle of the tubes (see par. 61). 
 
 Fig. 130. Chick in ovo ; incubated fifteen days. From the crystalline lens. Chiefly in 
 outline, a. Composed of filaments, two of which are represented in the 
 figure. |3. An object composed of filaments, more of which were present 
 on the right hand than on the left ; whence the greater thickness at the 
 former part. The arrow indicates the longitudinal direction of these 
 filaments. At one end of this object (/3) are pendent portions, not of 
 entire filaments, but of spiral threads composing filaments ; these spiral 
 threads hanging from the extremities of certain filaments where broken 
 off. y. Portion of a fasciculus of filaments containing a nucleus, which 
 displaces the contiguous filaments. Many such fasciculi are seen in fig. 
 132. In the nucleus are three discs, with an orifice in each. 
 
 Fig. 131. Bream. From the central part of the crystalline lens. a. Two spirals run- 
 ning in opposite directions, the one within the other. /3. Two interlaced 
 spirals containing filaments, y. Two interlaced spirals. 5. Filament en- 
 larging. Certain states of filaments pass into the toothed fibre, discovered 
 by Sir DAVID BREWSTER (see par. 62). 
 
 Fig. 132. Chick in ovo ; incubated fifteen days. From a more central part of the same 
 lens, as that from which fig. 130 was taken. Sketch of a flat object, 
 folded at |3. It was composed of fasciculi, y, resembling y of fig. 130. 
 These fasciculi consisted of filaments, among which were nuclei, displa- 
 cing, as at a, the contiguous filaments. 
 Figs. 133 to 136. Rabbit. From the cartilage of the ear. 
 
 Fig. 133. This figure represents in outline the situations of several cells. The 
 nuclei of these cells are not shown in all of them. In one instance, 
 a, the nucleus resembles a ball of twine (see par. 18). ft. Some of 
 the filaments of the intercellular substance. The nucleus frequently 
 elliptical in form. 
 
 Fig. 134. Cell, for the most part in outline. The walls composed of interlaced 
 filaments, a. Structure of the filaments. The central portion of the 
 nucleus had divided into two parts (centres), held together in a 
 remarkable manner by interlaced filaments, proceeding from these 
 parts. Possibly this division of the nucleus denotes incipient divi- 
 sion of the cell into two minuter cells. Each of the two parts 
 (centres) of the nucleus had its orifice (" nucleolus ") ; the two orifices 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 133 
 
 nearly facing one another. Around the orifice were pale discs not 
 yet arranged into a filament (see par. 18). 
 
 Fig. 135. Nuclei of two other cells. One centre is seen in the nucleus a, sur- 
 rounded by filaments. This centre has its orifice. The nucleus /3 
 presents several parts, appearing as though held together by inter- 
 lacing filaments. Yet perhaps this division of the nucleus into 
 several parts denotes incipient division of the cell into as many 
 minuter cells, of which each part of the divided nucleus would have 
 been the nucleus. See pars. 18, 19. 
 
 Fig. 136. Outline of two cells, the nuclei of which had escaped. A filament ex- 
 tended from the situation of an unwinding nucleus to the wall of one 
 of the cells. 
 
 Fig. 1 37. Chick in ovo ; incubated fifteen days. Outline of cells in the cartilage of one 
 of the phalanges (the terminal one). Filaments indistinctly seen at a. In 
 the nuclei filaments were not seen (as in figs. 133 to 136) ; yet the discs 
 of which the nuclei were composed (ft), appeared like rings : and the cen- 
 tral portion of the nucleus y consisted of two halves as in fig. 134. 
 Fig. 138. Chick in ovo ; incubated fifteen days. Filament observed in cartilage of a 
 
 bone of the leg, more advanced than that in fig. 137. 
 Fig. 1 39. Outline of the hair of a Caterpillar, containing filaments, one of which is 
 
 seen at a (par. 71). 
 Fig. 140. Sketch of part of two feather-like bodies from the wing of a Gnat. 
 
 a, a. Structure of the filaments in these objects. 
 
 Fig. 14 l v Sketch of feather-like bodies from the wing of a Butterfly, a. The object 
 entire, and young : '/3. part of an object of the same kind, more advanced. 
 y. Structure of the filaments in the object a. &. Structure of spirals pro- 
 ducing transverse (as well as longitudinal) striae in the object /3. 
 Fig. 142. Spider's web. Fasciculus of filaments. The filament a presents its edge at 
 the middle part. Of the other three filaments, two are on their edge, and 
 the third is on its flat surface. Citric acid. (par. 75). 
 
 Fig. 143. Spider's web. Filament on its edge. It crossed some feather-like objects 
 from the wing of a Butterfly ; part of one of which is represented in out- 
 line in the figure. Citric acid. (par. 75). 
 
 PLATE XI. 
 
 Figs. 144 to 147^ are not drawn on the same scale as the rest. For the first three 
 of these, the author is indebted to a friend. Fig. 147 is taken from a drawing by 
 Dr. HESSE, in FRORIEP'S Notizen, Juli 1840, No. 309, p. 2. It represents part of 
 Dr. HESSE'S fig. 5. 
 
134 DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 
 
 Fig. 144. Frog. Sketch of a large muscular fibril from the heart ; a, on its 
 
 edge (interspaces oblique) ; ft, on its flat surface (par. 92). 
 Figs. 145, 146. Newt (Triton cristatus, LINN.). Sketch of red blood-discs con- 
 taining filaments ; a, on the edge (interspaces oblique) ; ft, on the 
 flat surface (par. 92). 
 Fig. 147- "Transverse section of the tooth of the Ornithorhynchus near the 
 
 apex, where the tubes have become closer" (par. 99). 
 
 Fig. 147 j. From HENLE. (Allgemeine Anatomic. Lehre von den Mischungs- 
 und-Formbestandtheilen des menschlichen Korpers, 1841. Taf. IV. 
 fig. 5. 1.). From the nervus ischiadicus of the Frog ; " a ausgetretenes 
 Mark, ft zusammengefallene Scheide." 
 
 Fig. 148. Man. Sketch of objects from the blood-clot, a. Parent cell ; filled with 
 blood-corpuscles having the form of Ammonites. ft. More advanced states 
 of such blood- corpuscles, discharged from a parent cell, and seen with 
 others lying in a group. They have the spiral form. 7. Similar blood- 
 corpuscles of a larger size, i. e. in a state more advanced : the upper 
 one beginning to undergo division. S. Spiral fasciculus of filaments 
 (par. 97). 
 
 Fig. 149. Newt (Triton cristatus, LINN.). Sketch of blood-corpuscles from the form- 
 ing clot. No addition had been made (par. 96). All are flask-like 
 vesicles (par. 96). a. The membrane without folds, ft. Folds are seen. 
 7. The filament protruding. S. Two filaments visible in the interior : 
 the nucleus apparently giving them off. 
 Figs. 150 to 152. Sketches of blood-corpuscles, and of filaments derived from them : 
 
 as seen in the clot of the Frog and Newt. 
 
 Fig. 150. Parent corpuscle, or cell, containing a coiled filament (a), which sur- 
 rounds two young coiled filaments (ft, ft). A pellucid nucleus in 
 each of the latter (par. 99). 
 
 Fig. 151. Parent corpuscle, or cell, containing a coiled filament, which sur- 
 rounds many young coiled filaments. 
 Fig. 152. Coiled filaments, derived from blood-corpuscles: a, with a cavity in 
 
 the centre ; ft, unwound. 
 
 Fig. 153. Sheep. From the clot of blood: nine hours after the bleeding. Sketch 
 of filaments, a. A spiral having been produced, it is elongating, ft. The 
 elongation has proceeded farther ; and at 7 has produced the appearance 
 of a merely twisted filament. Of these filaments, about half a dozen lay 
 abreast, and some of them were united at their extremities. 5. Structure 
 of the filaments. 2. Similarly twisted filaments. . Spiral; apparently 
 an altered red blood-disc. The whole blood-red. 
 Fig. 154. Newt (Lissotriton punctatus, BELL). From the blood-clot. Sketch of an 
 
. .? 
 
 2 
 
 
 5 
 Sparrow . 
 
 f 
 
 
 6 
 Sparrow . 
 
 7 
 Chick. 
 
 
 -f'roy . 
 
 n. 
 Toad . 
 
 Skate 
 
 f 
 
 23 
 
 Cod. 
 
 * 
 
 Lobster . 
 
 ^/fi (S4- objects are' seen, of t/tar relative sizta. tang aWc& magnified/ 600 Diajnetcrs . 
 Their actual sixes may be, determined, by reference, to tfie- spaces they occupy between, Inf 
 fiarieantal lines, which are jfo* of a, faris laie, apart in, the, nucrojneter itself . 
 Thus the actual length, of a in, fiy. 5. is i&o'" f 'Faris lint-J 
 
 -Id nut dtLMortin. Sorry 
 

 I 
 
 ; 
 
 ' 
 
 Bloc d -vessel* . 
 
 Nerve* . 
 
 18 
 
 .../,. 
 
 Nerve 
 
 to 
 
 Nerve, . 
 
 2Z 
 
 ..-<;- 
 
 .,./, 
 
 w__ 
 
 iff 
 
 Mould from 
 
 Muscle 
 
 27 
 
 Mu-shroom . 
 
 28 
 
 
 
 
 3-2. 
 
 IS* .x /';' *i/'i> 
 
 4 
 
 Muscle. 
 
 r 
 
 
 33 
 Muscle* . 
 
 
 
 Mwscle . 
 
 1 
 
 ^L 
 i 
 
 ) j 
 
 J, 
 
 34 
 
 th& Objects are magrucfiAd 600 Diameters . 
 Thf horizontal lines are described at die. foot 
 
 J.Sa. 
 

 
 2 
 
 \\V -::> 
 
 V 
 
 
 *T s ^>- - 
 
 
 f8 
 
 70 72 72 75 
 
 Jfutd* Musd* Mwsole,. from ti*. Zetfrtal*. Nerv( Musri , 
 
 
 o/ 1 the. Stratrbtrry . 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 '1 1 \\ 4l| -i i "i ^ ^ 
 
 ^--:^ ; '} 
 
 
 
 74 -^J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^a^. -Jk4 
 
 
 y \<rW "' erve/ ' ~*\ 
 78 <aL 
 
 
 J/bu/<i. 
 
 N/ 
 
 
 M ^ 'Hi 
 
 
 
 IX 
 a ^ ^^ 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 f f 
 
 '"' I't-'-l ~ > ' 
 
 
 < a ^~{J v "^T^A 
 
 . 
 
 
 ? \\^--' 75 '-* V^. 
 
 <v 
 
 1 
 
 ; : ;.v ^- ; -' ^-. 7tf -vOv. _ 
 
 ^ 
 
 80 
 
 & -""* ^r v 
 
 ^ . 
 
 ^ , 
 
 Nerve* 
 
 Nerve/. k. a ' 
 
 */ 
 
 
 ^ < 83 W 
 
 '' " \ > 
 
 
 "--/* Fram *" f /\\ 
 
 
 
 /\ . 
 
 
 82 
 
 \ 
 
 \ Nerve, . Mus 
 t a , B ! 
 -' ' : ' 
 
 de>. 
 
 t] 
 
 
 
 * V -v ' I. I 1 
 
 fXf ' 1 \ ' T, e *\ r-*. ~~^. 
 
 
 
 3 ! : ' :; "i^ ^P%^ 4 
 
 
 i 
 
 \7 ' ; 1 B> T /.^ 
 
 
 's 
 
 1 \ ' l 7 / "^ 
 
 X / 
 
 
 J \ 
 
 
 
 86 g? '< 88 89 $o 
 
 
 85 
 
 Nerve/ . 
 
 
 Nerve 
 
 Fig? 87 to go, from, the- Sow Thirties . 
 
 
 & 
 
 ^ ' - B* ' A 
 
 
 
 ^^ ^5^ ^ 
 
 
 Cornea/ 
 
 fft 93 94 95 96 
 Muscle, . Muscle* Muscle- . Mujdf Muscle/ . 
 
 Hi the* Objects are/ magnified. 600 Diameters . 
 The. KorvzantaL Vnej are drjrnbed at Afloat of Plate V 
 
 
 J ' Jlafire jt*. 
 
' ; 
 i 
 
 S> * . ' 
 
 99 
 
 ti 
 
 I -I. 
 
 ', 
 
 *M 4 1 
 
 i\ ' '% 
 
 Mould . 
 
 99 
 
 Jfarye< . 
 
 rtL.I 
 
 
 i 
 
 'ill/ 
 
 $v 
 
 ; ; ^ '-. 
 
 y if " J /~ 
 
 1 
 
 / / T^ " 
 
 &f< 
 
 fi /JV 
 
 
 > V 
 
 
 
 
 t /'^.^ 
 
 JM0 
 
 Jo5 
 
 jotf 
 
 Mu self Mould, . 
 
 Nerve/. 
 
 Nerve/. 
 
 
 /Malul Sutst Cerebr.} 
 
 ICorcSubst. Gtrtbr.l 
 
 wi 
 Flaa- . 
 
 WJ 108 
 
 Nerve- . Nerve' . 
 
 tlsctaatif..) 
 
 log 
 Flajc . 
 
 m 
 Jfuscle 
 
 \\\ 
 
 -U2 
 
 Nerve 
 
 Place*. 
 
 iij jiS M.6 
 
 Nerve*. Nerve. Nerve/. 
 
 /Retina. I fMedul.Sulist.,Crrthr.l !Cort.Sul>sthrii>r) 
 
 Nerve/. 
 fSpuv.Ou>r3.) 
 
 
 
 the Objects are* magmfie'd 600 Duunrtn.* 
 The honxontai tines are d&scribed at liu*foot of flaJ' 
 
 /'hue*. ? 
 
 Ad l.'ar.&LMaran Forty 
 
** 
 
 1*5 
 
 Very ytnaig Fasdeufo of 
 
 Fasciculi of Muscle . 
 
 fappws. 
 
 12J 
 from' tha common/ 
 
 ' J$/te 
 
 ^mmf 
 
 zt8 
 
 Cryst . Zens , 
 
 Hair of Nettie. /o._B ct> Diameter.) 
 
 
 _ v i \ Cr t ys't.I*en*s' . 
 
 - \ . Ai^_ 
 
 Cryst . 
 
 -^; ;X \ 
 
 
 
 '>. ci ' 
 
 ^j^ 
 
 Cartilage of 
 
 Cartilage/ of Zone, . 
 
 >"ih, 
 
 ' V 
 
 ^ 
 
 r a 
 
 Scar of Caterpillar . 
 
 J4O 
 
 From, a. Gnat's f) r vy . 
 
 From, a -Butter/ty s Wing 
 
 j%? 
 
 Spiders Wit. 
 
 jld Hat. M Martin Bony 
 
 t/, f l>l,,,;-is are magnifitd. 600 
 The horizontal lines are describtd at thr foot of Plats \ 
 
 J.Banrtj 
 
Pfdi 
 
 
 244 
 
 tycd Muscular Fibril 
 tSketrhtd. by J.A.Sasto/3f.j 
 
 146 
 
 FitrH Corpuscles of -the flood, containing Filaments . 
 
 Section of a Tooth . 
 
 ^x_^sA_>^ 
 
 vtoi*./ fSketxheJi 6y J.-i.S attack.) 
 
 ffrvmErHrsft./ 
 
 147* 
 
 
 
 * Jferw (from, J)' 'Made,. / 
 
 
 * * M ' ' 
 
 v , , </?, ./ 
 *?!,';' i, 
 
 ', : : ;i r -'- '.''' 
 
 Jj to ocL- corpus ce*s parsing into Spiral J*\lfLmjtrvts . 
 from- ft* dot of Jlicman Jtlaod/ . 
 
 Blood-corpuscLes containuu/ filaments . 
 from the dot of ihe Scarfs BloocL . 
 
 < '^ jjjj^ -0,4 
 
 :O' ; 
 
 A > 
 
 jSo 
 
 from, -the. loods-clot of 1ke< Frog and, Neu-t . 
 
 
 /'mm, tiie SlootL-oUft of the. Sheep . 
 
 
 From, the, BlooiL-clot 
 of ihe, 
 
 ' / 
 
 ), 
 
 
 fa 
 
 Hair of til* Fcrtnl Sheep . 
 
 266 
 
 Voluntary Jdiurde- 
 of the Shn/nf) . 
 
 ; 
 
 ' \'' 
 
 7 It 
 
 Volufitary Muscle, 
 of the Lobster . 
 
 the/ Objects eaxept ///.. /// ///< H/,/HT l<n>- nr, ///.////(///,,/ A'oo Diameters. 
 The hvrizontai ti/ies are de,tcribefj -it 
 
 . Mortise orru . 
 
 J. Bajir* to . 
 
DR. MARTIN BARRY ON FIBRE. 135 
 
 enlarged blood-corpuscle, the nucleus of which was undergoing division, 
 for the purpose of producing young corpuscles. 
 
 Fig. 155. Sketch of the hair-bulb in a foetal sheep ; which contained nuclei, unwind- 
 ing into filaments, the filaments interlacing, a. Structure of the fila- 
 ment, as seen on its flat surface. (3. Edge of the filament (par. 123). 
 
 Fig. 156. Shrimp. . Sketch of a fasciculus of voluntary muscle, presenting inter- 
 laced spirals ; some of which are seen pendent at the lower part. |3. One 
 of these spirals, the windings of which were distinctly followed. 
 
 Fig. 15". Lobster. Sketch of a fasciculus of voluntary muscle: at the lower part 
 broken off' short; at the middle part notched (pars. 118 122). a, /3. 
 Displaced extremities of the ruptured spirals, y. Structure of the spirals. 
 
f ) o 
 
^3 
 
 sm 
 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 ^>Wi 
 
 1