Some observations concerning the supposed identity of the Golgi apparatus and Nissl substance of neurones By OWEN LEWIS THOMAS

Introduction C O N F L I C T I N G statements have recently been published concerning the identity of Golgi apparatus and Nissl substance of the neurones of vertebrates. Malhotra (1959, 1961) and David and his colleagues (i960, 1961) believe that the 'Golgi apparatus' results from a deposit of silver or osmium on the basiphil grumes of Nissl. Legendre (1910) proposed a similar hypothesis. Contrary views have been expressed by the author (Thomas, 1961). Although electron-microscope studies have been used to support both opinions, such evidence cannot be in itself conclusive since the precise identity of the Golgi apparatus in electron micrographs of the nerve-cell remains a matter for conjecture. On the other hand, since both Nissl substance and Golgi apparatus can readily be studied in classical preparations by the light microscope, the problem is better resolved by this means, especially as techniques exist whereby the same cells can be compared after contrasting methods of staining (Thomas, 1949). In this paper the results of such procedures are recorded as a series of photomicrographs (figs. 1 and 2).