This is, no doubt, to beg the question of origin, and if the balance of evidence be seen to be against this view the order of events would need to be stated differently. But the position is clear, whether correct or not, and if it be shown to be erroneous it will at least have good “lighthouse value.” Observed Facts. Briefly stated the facts of the innervation of the skin are of two orders, anatomical and physiological; the former examined by the aid of the microscope, the latter by physiological experiments of a varied kind. The chief aspect in which these are viewed here is the mode of distribution of these two groups of fact, and it is held that this strongly suggests without proving it, the alleged mode of origin of both. TABLE I.--_Distribution of Touch Corpuscles_:-- In the deep connective tissue of the dermis there are:-- In the thumb about 70. " " index finger 105. " " middle finger 60. " " whole hand 500. They are numerous over finger joints and front of elbow joint. In all 530 about the joints of the upper extremity. 317 about those of the lower extremity. TABLE II.--(_From Schäfer’s Text Book of Physiology_):-- Average of Meissner’s corpuscles to each square millimetre, which is approximately one five hundredth part of a square inch:-- Palmar surface of distal phalanx of index finger 21 Palmar surface of second phalanx of index finger 8 Palmar surface of first phalanx of index finger 4 Palmar surface of metacarpus of little finger 2 Plantar surface of distal phalanx of great toe 7 Middle of sole of foot 2 Flexor surface of forearm in each sq. mm. 1 Distal end of flexor surface of forearm in each sq. mm.:-- 1 to each 6 sq. mm. approximately. * Absent from the cornea, and conjunctiva of the upper eyelid and from the glans penis. TABLE III.--_Distribution of Touch Spots_:-- These must be distinguished, of course, from the touch _corpuscles_ of the preceding list and the subjective element in the study of them must be borne in mind. If an area, as of the calf of the leg, be prepared, by cutting short the small hairs, and examined, it is found that there are about 15 touch spots in each square centimetre, which is about one-fifth of a square inch. In another area so treated the hairs are counted and the following result is given:-- 1. On the dorsal surface of the forearm 78 touch spots are found in an area containing 15 hairs. 2. On the flexor surface of the forearm 147 touch spots are found in an area containing 22 hairs. 3. On the scalp 66 touch spots are found in an area containing 38 hairs.