192 Letters 



by the same path through the liver. Nor do I see any 

 reason why the route by which the chyle is carried in 

 one animal should not be that by which it is carried 

 in all animals whatsoever ; nor indeed, if a circulation 

 of the blood be necessary in this matter, as it really is, 

 that there is any need for inventing another way. 



I must say that I greatly prize the industry of the 

 learned Pecquet, and make much of the receptacle 

 which he has discovered ; still it does not present itself 

 to me as of such importance as to force me from the 

 opinion I have already given ; for I have myself found 

 several receptacles of milk in young animals ; and in 

 the human embryo I have found the thymus so dis- 

 tended with milk, that suspicions of an imposthume 

 were at first sight excited, and I was disposed to believe 

 that the lungs were in a state of suppuration, for the 

 mass of the thymus looked actually larger than the 

 lungs themselves. Frequently, too, I have found a 

 quantity of milk in the nipples of new-born infants, 

 as also in the breasts of young men who were very 

 lusty. I have also met with a receptacle full of milk in 

 the body of a fat and large deer, in the situation where 

 Pecquet indicates his receptacle, of such a size that 

 it might readily have been compared to the abomasus, 

 or read of the animal. 



These observations, learned sir, have I made at this 

 time in answer to your letter, that I might show my 

 readiness to comply with your wishes. 



Pray present my most kind wishes to Dr. Pecquet 

 and to Dr. Gayant. Farewell, and believe me to be, 

 very affectionately and respectfully, 



Yours, 



WILLIAM HARVEY. 



London, the 28th April, 1652. 



