4-04- Dr. Waller on the Origifi of Mucus and Pus-globules. 



which contained it. Many of these tubes appeared inter* 

 rupted, and their course could only be traced by means of 

 disjointed fragments containing the amorphous matter, which, 

 under the highest magnifying power, appeared to consist of 

 numerous irregular fragments loosely packed, and presenting 

 a very considerable surface. Capillaries which contain re- 

 cently coagulated blood are known to present a granulated, 

 uneven appearance, caused by the irregular arrangement of 

 the blood within them. The tubes were therefore the en- 

 gorged capillaries of the previous day, which had been deprived 

 of their colouring matter and some of their fluid contents by 

 a chemical action, which is generally termed absorption; 

 while other parts, not quite so easily acted upon, were not yet 

 removed. The size of these granular tubes corresponded 

 with the ordinary diameters of the capillary vessels and their 

 trunks. Their direction likewise was the same as that pur- 

 sued by vascular trunks and capillaries. Blood-vessels of 

 about the same size could generally be seen at their sides, with 

 an internal current of blood : some of these were probably of 

 recent formation. The other tissues were in their usual con- 

 dition : thus the muscles presented their characteristic striae 

 very distinctly; the nervous trunks and fibres were unimpaired; 

 and the ramifications of the cellular fibres were also intact. 



The subject of Obs. 2 was examined after the same lapse of 

 time; the organ had nearly recovered its natural colour previous 

 to this second examination. Numerous tubes with their amor- 

 phous contents were seen at different parts in exactly the same 

 condition as mentioned above. The papillae with the dark 

 centre, as before described, were in the same state as the day 

 before : small portions of muscular fibre were perceived, with 

 their striae lacerated and broken. The other tissues were un- 

 altered. 



Kensington, Oct. 15, 1846. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 

 PLATE I. 



Fig. 1. Represents the dorsum of the frog's tongue covered with nume- 

 rous papillae, two of which are circular, and contain vascular coil 

 connected with capillary vessels. These papillae are intimately 

 connected with the perception of taste, and are analogous with 

 the fungiform papillae of the mammiferae. The other papillae re- 

 presented are destitute of internal circulation, and much more 

 irregular in form, and correspond to the filiform or conical pa- 

 pillae of the mammiferae. The whole drawing is covered with 

 scales of epithelium, amongst which are occasionally seen what 

 appear to be small foramina, but which did not exist in this case. 



Fig. 2. A fungiform or neuro-vasctilar papilla, as seen under a higher mag- 

 nifying power. Within it is the vascular area. The external 

 zone presents the radiated appearance which is sometimes seen. 



