[A microscopic study of the comparative morphology of the retina]

The cytoarchitecture layers and sublayers of the retina in pike, frog and cat are essentially different. The sublayers of internal granular layers 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d in these species differ qualitatively and quantitatively. The dendrites of ganglion cells and branches of amacrine cells are greatly laminated in the frog retina due to a complex stratification of the inner plexiform layer (about 10 sublayers). In all the vertebrates studied the ganglion cells are of two main types; symmetrical and asymmetrical with many variations. Asymmetrical amacrine cells are found in the pike and frog retina. The existence of vertical branches of amacrine cells in the outer plexiform layer in the cat retina is confirmed. The morphological features of the retina are discussed from the view point of physiological facts.