Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 4.djvu/337

Rh which is presented between the extra- vascular animal and the extra- vascular vegetable tissues. He expresses a hope that the appHcation to surgery of the above law, with reference to the prolongation of blood-vessels into the extra-vascular tissues during disease, and to pathology in the investigation of the nature of morbid structures, particularly of those classes which contain no blood-vessels, will be not devoid of interest, and will be productive of some advantage.

The Society then adjourned over the Whitsun recess, to meet again on the 10th of June next.

The Most Noble the Marquis of Westminster, Sir Thomas Baring, Bart., Edward Blore, Esq., Samuel Seaward, Esq. and Alfred Smee, Esq., were balloted for, and duly elected into the Society.

The following papers were read, viz. —

1. " Magnetic-term Observations made at Milan, on the 21st and 22nd of April, 1841." Communicated by Professor Carlini, For. Memb. R.S.

2. " Register of Tidal Observations made at Prince of Wales'^ Island, in July, August and September, 1840."

3. " Register of Tidal Observations made at Singapore in July, August and September, 1840."

These two papers were presented by the Directors of the East India Company, and communicated by P. M. Roget, M.D., Sec. R.S.

4. " On the Anatomy and Physiology of certain structures in the Orbit, not previously described." By J. M. Ferrall, Esq., M.R.I.A. Communicated by Sir Benjamin C. Brodie, Bart., F.R.S.

The author describes a distinct fibrous tunic, which he terms the tunica vaginalis oculi, continuous with the tarsal cartilages and ligaments in front, and extending backwards to the bottom, or apex of the orbit ; thus completely insulating the globe of the eye, and keeping it apart from the muscles which move it. The eye-ball is connected with this fibrous investment by a cellular tissue, so lax and delicate as to permit an easy and gliding motion between them. The use which the author assigns to this tunic is that of protecting the eye-ball from the pressure of its muscles while they are in ac- tion. This tunic is perforated at its circumference, and a few lines posterior to its anterior margin, by six openings, through which the tendons of the muscles emerge in passing to their insertions, and over which, as overpullies, they play in their course. A consequence of this structure is that the recti muscles become capable of giving rotatory motions to the eye without occasioning its retraction within the orbit, and without exerting injurious pressure on that organ. In those animals which are provided with a proper retractor muscle.