[Light-microscopical researches on the olfactory mucosa of the sheep (Ovis aries L.) (author's transl)].

The functional olfactory epithelium of the sheep measures 183.62 cm2 with 302.41 . 10(6) olfactory cells. Their thickness varies between 4 and 9/1,000 micron 2 on an average and achieves in the Ethmoturbinale a unique maximum of 67/1,000 micron 2. In thinly crowded parts of the turbinalia the olfactory cells are mostly differentiated in pericaryon, dendrit, neck and capitulum, whereas in the densely crowded ethmoturbinale there are 4 zones of pericaryons one above the other, there is no neck, the capitula are longishly formed and mostly lie in the epithelium. Plasma conjugations at the basis of the capitula could also be observed. The olfactory ability is promoted by the widespread distribution of the olfactory cells. The certain recognition of mother and youngster should be effected by means of the olfactory sense, like ovis musimon, the primitive form of the sheep, does.