LITERARY NOTICES.

Verhandlungen der Anatomischen Gesellschaft auf der Achtzehnten Versammlung in Jena. Anat. Anz. Erganzungsheft zum 25 B.

1904.

Schultze, O. Ueber die Entwickelung des peripheren Nervensysteme. 2-7.

The growing nerves in the embryo are syncytial in structure. The sheath nuclei are derived from the nuclei of this nervous syncytium. The plexus nervosus profundus of amphibian larvae (CZERMAK) is a sensory syncytium which is, and has arisen, in continuo with the developing nerve, and is not derived by a fusion of independent units. SCHULTZE'S interpretation is in opposition to the neurone theory. Koelliker, A. Ueber die Entwickelung der Nervenfasern. 7-12.

This paper is directly opposed to SCHULTZE'S and in favor of the neurone theory. Each axone grows out as a process of a single nerve cell and the sheath nuclei are mesodermal in origin. This mode of development, the author asserts, is followed in Vertebrata, Arthropoda and Mollusca. The process may be simpler in lower forms.

In the discussion which follows these two papers, FRORIEP argues for the ectodermal origin of the sheath nuclei by a migration from the central system along the nerve roots. RETZIUS, BENDA, BALLOWITZ, HARRISON and DISSE cite various instances and observations in favor of the neurone theory. The necessity of experimental work upon the regeneration of the peripheral end of the severed nerve fiber is emphasized by Roux and BARFURTH.

Joseph, H. Ueber eigentümliche Zellstrukturen im Zentralnervensystem von Amphioxus. 16-26.

The cells in question are the large cells in the anterior region of the nerve cord which v. KUPFFER called "dorsale Ganglienplatte." The author finds similar cells in the corresponding position in the caudal region of the cord. All of these dorsal cells, contrary to other authors who differ among themselves, are unipolar, and, in structure, correspond exactly with the "Sehzelle" of HESSE. They are not, however, capped with the pigment cell which is characteristic of the typical "Sehzelle." Their axones pass towards the periphery of the cord and probably enter the posterior roots. In the caudal region of the cord "Sehzelle" occur without the pigment cap, in which case they are identical in structure with the dorsal plate cells of the same region.

Hochstetter. Ueber die Nichtexistenz der sogenannten Bogenfurchen an den Gehirnen lebensfrisch konservierter menschlicher Embryonen. 27-34. Schaper, A. Zur Frage der Existenzberechtigung der Bogenfurchen am Gehirne menschlicher Embryonen. 35-37

Both of these papers on the embryonic fissures agree with the recent work of RETZIUS, MALL and GOLDSTEIN, who find no true fissures in the well preserved human brain during the period to which His assigned his "Bogenfurche."

Ramström. Ueber die Innervation des Peritonaeums der vorderen Bauchwand.

This study was made upon intra vitam methylene blue impregnations of the peritoneum and associated tissues. In the mouse, the peritoneum on one side the median line was mounted entire. No fibers from the phrenic were found entering this region. The innervation is wholly from the intercostal nerves, through a complicated system of plexuses. Lubosch, W. Uber den Bau und die Entwickelung des Geruchsorganes von Petromyzon. 67-75

This paper bears upon BLAUE's theory of the origin of the olfactory epithelium by a process of fusion of primitive cutaneous sense organs. The author conceives the olfactory buds of Petromyzon as representing a protracted ontogenetic process. The fundament of the olfactory organ is in the form of a bud-like differentiation of the integument. The organ develops by a repetition of this process. LUBOSCH considers that BLAUE'S theory may be tenable upon the hypothesis that in the olfactory organ the nerve cell has maintained the primitive position, which it originally held in both olfactory and taste organs. Perfectly closed follicles are found in the nasal cavity of ten-centimeter larvae.

G. E. C. Rutter, Cloudsley. Natural History of the Quinnat Salmon. Bull. U. S. Fish Commission for 1902, 65-142. 9 Pls., 13 Figs. 1904.

The objects of this investigation were to determine when young salmon should be liberated from the hatcheries, to discover a method for removing and fertilizing the eggs left in the fish after artificial spawning, and to fix the site for a new hatchery. Other matters of interest discussed are the activity of spermatozoa after the milt is mixed with water, the fertilization of the ova, care in handling embryos, alevins and their enemies, the fry and their food, parasites, and migrations, the food of young salmon and their period of growth. The adult salmon are treated in relation to migrations, changes after entering fresh water, sexual differentation, natural propogation, injuries and diseases, and death which ensues after once spawning. This contribution is of considerable scientific importance as well as being of practical value.

I. A. FIELD.

Kerr, J. Graham. On Some Points in the Early Development of Motor Trunks and Myotomes in Lepidosiren paradoxa (FITZ.). Trans. Roy Soc. Edinburgh, 41, Part 1 (No. 7), pp. 119–128, 6 plates, 1904.

The author's observations support the conclusion that the motor spinal nerves of Lepidosiren first appear as strands of soft granular protoplasm, extending between the spinal cord and the myotome. These strands are not cellular. They later become fibrillated and invested by mesenchymatous sheaths.

C. J. H.

Coggi, Alessandro. Le ampolle di Lorenzini nei Gymnofioni. Monitore Zoologico Italiano, 15, No. 249-56.

On the basis of the figures and descriptions of the SARASINS, the author compares the "Nebenohren," or accessory lateral line organs on the head of Ichthyophis with the ampullae of LORENZINI of elasmobranchs, concluding that the organs are strictly homologous, thus strengthening the current belief in the archaic character of the Gymnophiona.

It will be recalled that the reviewer has suggested (this Journal, vol. 13, p 135) a similar homology between the ampullae of LORENZINI and a type of "small pit organs" found in the skin of the North American siluroid fishes, though the evidence for this relationship is not regarded as conclusive C. J. H. Freidenfelt. T. Ueber den feineren Bau des Visceralganglions von Anodonta. Lunds Universitets Arsskrift, Bd, 40, Afd. 2. Nr. 5. Lund, 1905. A detailed description of the neurones of the visceral ganglion and their connections, after methylene blue preparations, illustrated by four good plates. The author finds no true net-work (protoplasmic continuity of the older authors) in the neuropil, but refrains from expressing an opinion on the question of continuity of the neuro-fibrils of APÁTHY and BETHE. C J. H.

Tumors of the Cerebellum.

Under the above title, the A. R. Elliott publishing Co., of New York, has re-printed six papers by Drs. MILLS, FRAZIER, DE SCHWEINITZ, WEISENBURG and LODHOLZ. While the clinical and surgical detai!s do not fall within our limits, we call attention to the cases reported and to the summaries of literature as important contributions to the theory of cerebellar functions.

C. J. H. Banchi, Arturo. Di un cervello senze commessure e con funzioni apparentemente normali. Archivio di Fisiologia. Vol. 1, pp. 614-618, 1904.

A brief statement of a remarkable case of cerebral malformation where the mental life seemed perfectly normal. An extended account of the case will shortly appear in the Archivio Italiano di Anatomia e di Embriologia J. C. B

Gross, Hans. Kriminal-Psychologie. Leipzig, Vogel, 1905.

xii + 701.

Zweite Auflage. Although intended primarily for those who have professional interest in juristic problems and in the scientific side of criminology, this book of GROSS' contains much that is of value to the comparative psychologist. In reading it one is likely to be impressed with the obvious need of psychological knowledge in the treatment of criminals and defectives. But, at the same time there is opened up, in thoroughly scientific systematic fashion, a vast realm of abnormal psychology which has been almost entirely neglected by scientific investigators, namely, the psychology of crime. The work is authoritative, and in this second edition it has been considerably improved in form and increased in value.

R. M. Y.

Streeter, George L. The Development of the Cranial and Spinal Nerves in the Occipital Region of the Human Embryo. Am. Jour. Anat., 4, 83-116. 1904.

A study of numerous human embryos from the collections of HERTWIG, MALL, HIS and GOLGI. The period, 20-81 days, involves all the changes in form and relation from the time when the peripheral nerves are first capable of reconstruction to the time when the adult condition is practically established. The ganglionic crest in the cerebral region is from the first distinct from the trunk ganglia, though it is connected with the latter by a thin sheet of loosely arranged cells. The ganglia petrosum and nodosum are apparently adherent to thickened patches of the epidermis. The ganglionic crest of the tenth and eleventh nerves at first shows no signs of segmental arrangement. The latter nerves are found to belong to the same complex and alike have root ganglia and motor and sensory roots. In the course of development the sensory element comes to predominate in the cephalic portion of the complex and the motor in the caudal portion. The hypoglossal is like the ventral cervical roots in position and segmental arrangement. The ventral spinal nerves are developed earlier than the dorsal roots.

G. E C.

Carlson, A. J. Contributions to the Physiology of the Ventral Nerve Cord of Myriopoda (Centipedes and Millipedes). Jour. Ex. Zool. 1. 269-288. 1904.

In the ventral nerve cord of Scolopendra the conduction rate is greater in the antero-posterior direction. This antero-posterior differentiation, is most marked in the short types. Experimental studies on the localization of centres of control of important reflex functions.

G. E. C.

Mettler, L. Harrison. A Treatise on Diseases of the Nervous System, 989 pages, Cleveland Press, Chicago, 1905.

"The Neurone Doctrine is now an accepted fact."

After an introduction of 88 pages devoted to classification, etiology, symptomatology, etc, the writer describes first the neuronic diseases, beginning with the neuroses, hysteria, vertigo, neurasthenia, epilepsy, and all the other neuroses, the sympathetic included, and the system diseases--locomotor ataxia, the systemic motor palsies (including myasthenia), and the mixed afferent and efferent types.

The non-neuronic diseases (p 457-957) include the changes starting from the glia, vessels and sheaths, practically all the diseases of the peripheral nerves and diffuse and focal diseases of the nervous system. Alcoholism and some other toxic and infectious disorders with prominent participation of the nervous system come last (p. 959-971).

Notwithstanding this somewhat peculiar arrangement, METTLER gives a very readable presentation of the chief facts, general and clinical, in most respects superior to several of the books which are in the hands of many students In view of the excellency of the matter it is rather a pity that an essentially doctrinal issue should be at the top of every page—the distinction of neuronic and non-neuronic diseases, in the somewhat arbitrary sense in which METTLER makes his subdivision.

The illustrations are well chosen and very instructive. The book deserves recommendation. Lapses are relatively rare, as on p. 486, under BURDACH's column: "astereognosis, loss of reflexes and every physiological act that involves sensation, directly or reflexly, are diminished or abolished," when it is diseased.

A. M.

Child, C. M. Studies on Regulation. The Relation of the Central Nervous System and Regeneration in Leptoplana: Posterior Regeneration. Jour. Ex. Zoology, 1, 493-512. 1904.

The presence of about half of the cerebral ganglion has both quantitative and qualitative influence on the reaction of pieces, and the efficiency of the brain in this respect is not localized. This effi ciency is affected by the amount of nervous tissue present in the piece and not by the presence of a particular part of the nervous system. The influence of the nervous system upon posterior regeneration is quantitative only, and is not " formative" but indirect through the influence of functional conditions. In regeneration, also, the influence of the nervous system depends upon the amount present and not upon the presence of a particular part: a condition which argues against the idea of functional centers.

G. E. C.