<正> The endothelial cells of the corneas of rabbits preserved by desiccation for vari-ous duration showed no hexagonal form of normal cells but broad bean-like nuclci afterdouble staining with alizarin red and trypan blue.Scanning electron microscopic examina-tion revealed interdigitation at the intercellular junction together with intercellularvacuoles and cellular edema.Transmission electron microscopic examination showedincomplete nuclear membrane

karyopyknosis

vacuoles and remnant organellae in thecytoplasm.Partial penetrating keratoplasties were done in 37 rabbits（37 eyes）with pre-served corneas.The grafts remained transparent for a minimum of 4 days to a maximumof over 1 year

and 7 grafts remained transparent for more than 30 days.Staining ofthe transparent grafts revealed normal hexagonal endothelial cells in mosaic arrange-ment.We assumed that after transplantation of the preserved cornea the endothelial cellsregained their activities owing to the nutrient effect of the aqueous humor.