Since Langerhans (1) first described the presence of gold-positive dendritic cells in the epidermis, their nature has been an unsettled question. These cells, which morphologically resemble melanocytes, are free of pigment and are not seen when stained for melanin nor when the dopa stain is used; but they can be demonstrated with gold chloride methods. Mas-son (2) regards them as effete or wornout melanocytes wThich are being exfoliated with the neighboring epidermal cells, while Ferreira-Marques (3) is of the opinion that they are Schwannian cells and that their dendritic processes are nerve fibers.