1835.] Lymph, Blood, and Chyle. 427 



on one side while it has ceased on the other, in consequence 

 of an incision. 



Future experiments must determine whether or not the 

 use of this organ is to propel the lymph of the tail into the 

 extremity of the caudal vein.* 



ON THE GLOBULES OP THE BLOOD. 



The form of the globules of the blood has been differently 

 stated by almost every observer. Miiller, in employing an 

 excellent microscope for the purpose of examination, found 

 that they must not be viewed through the medium of water, 

 because that liquid instantly alters their form, and converts 

 elliptical globules into round ones. The best liquid to 

 employ is serum, or the globules may be diluted with water 

 holding in solution common salt, or sugar, which does not 

 affect their shape. Miiller attributes the various results of 

 different observers to their diluting the blood with water, 

 and to the employment of bad instruments. In man, the 

 globules were found to be generally equal, with occasional 

 larger ones. The globules of the frog were also equal, 

 but mixed with some of a smaller size. In the embryo 

 of the coney they are destitute of uniformity, but as the 

 animal advances they become more equal. In the larva of 

 the frog they appeared somewhat smaller and paler than in 

 the mature state of the animal. The form of the globules 

 varies in different animals, from circular to elliptical, but 

 they are always flat. In men and mammalia they are 

 circular; elliptical in birds, (domestic fowl and pigeon,) 

 amphibious animals, (frog and lizards,) and fish, where they 

 also approach a round form, especially in the carp. Miiller 

 has satisfied himself that the globules are flat, by a careful 

 examination of the blood, not only of those animals men- 

 tioned, but also of the calf, cat, dog, and rabbit. The long 



* In addition to the two posterior lymphatic hearts of amphibia, Miiller has 

 lately discovered two anterior analogous organs, and has described them in the 

 Phil. Trans, for 1833, part i. 92. They lie on each side, upon the great transverse 

 process of the third vertebra, and are easily detected when the scapula is carefully 

 raised and partly cut away. They are of a round shape, and pointed anteriorly 

 where they are connected with the jugular vein on their respective sides. If these 

 organs be incised and inflated, lymphatic spaces in the axilla become filled with 

 air, and when injected upwards with mercury, the jugular vein as far as the supe- 

 rior vena cava, is filled. — Edit. 



