the region bordering the blood-vessels; in proximity to nerves, in nerve endings and in surrounding fat masses. Isolated granules are frequently scattered throughout the lower section of the corium. Barrows concludes that the lower bodies of pigment play little or no part in the color of the external shank, as they lie far below the opaque connective tissue. Melanin pigment granules are always contained in the pigment cells. When found in the Malpighian layer, the pigment cells are of an oval form. Immediately below the epidermis in the shank skin, extends a space less in width than the row of columnar cells, which is devoid of pigment. The brown pigment is melanin, which in large quantities takes on a black hue. White skin does not contain superficial pigment. Melanin has been observed in the study of white shank skin, but it lay at considerable depth or in quantities insufficient to be noticeable. In some breeds of fowls, as the Mottled Houdan, there are areas in which much melanin is irregularly deposited, which circumstance gives the leg its mottled appearance. The yellow color is the result of a deposit of the yellow pigment in the fat of the shank. This may be deposited in both layers of the skin, or in the corium alone. When present it is diffused throughout the entire cell as well as throughout the intercellular substance. In young birds the Malpighian layer contains much yellow pigment. Old hens have only small quantities in the corneum. In breeds with normal yellow shanks old hens that have never laid eggs show a deep orange color in both the dermis and epidermis. In blue shanked birds melanin is present only in the corium. The black pigment is seen through the semi-transparent Malpighian stratum, making it appear bluish instead of brown or black. The black shank color results when melanin appears in the epidermis. Two forms of black pigment occur in the epidermis: granules in both layers and pigment cells in the rete Malpighii. The green shank is produced where there is pigment in the epidermis and numerous melanin pigment cells in the upper corium. It is an optical effect due to melanin lying under the semi-transparent yellow epidermis. There is no melanin in the epidermis. In the beak the corium of the skin is represented by a thin layer located between the =periosteum= and the stratum Malpighii. Numerous blood-vessels pass into it, and in the soft horn-like skin, occur sensory nerve fibers.