t ' Trait4 Pratiqoe da Microscope,' p. 75.
J ' Philosophical Ti-anaactions,' 1837, p. 377.
S 'PhjBioIogy,' translated by Balt, p. 882.
% Kead before the Acadt^mj of Sciences, December 12, 1831.
^



22 MR. BOWMAN ON THE MINUTE STRUCTURE AND

confirms this, for the striae are not seen except where the sheath holds together the
primitive filaments, and these are not represented as beaded, where they project as a
brush from the extremity.* It will be immediately perceived that the true structure
about to be described has no analogy whatever with the cellular membrane of
muscle, and that it is not in any way concerned in the production of the transverse
striae ; but that, on the contrary, it seems to be a texture sui generis, fulfilling a dis-
tinct function, peculiar to muscle. It seems advisable, therefore, to call it by a
distinct name, and I have been in the habit of styling it Sarcolemma,\ a term descrip-
tive of its nature. As, however, in what follows, no allusion whatever is intended to
be made to the cellular sheath of muscle, the word sheath, to avoid repetition, will be
employed as synonymous with sarcolemma.J

This structure can usually be seen best in specimens prepared when recent, but I
have preparations which show it perfectly preserved in parts long steeped in spirit.
