, 
60 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HUMAN BODY. 
remaining fluid is absorbed. This intestine, though not so long as the 
small intestine, is wider than it, because a greater capacity is required, on 
account of accumulation. 
6. Absorption.—Both in the stomach and in the smaller intestine, 
part of the nutritive materials of the food is received directly into the 
system by the blood-vessels; but besides this, there is another system of 
absorption going on, on a more roundabout~plan, by means of the 
lymphatics,: which are absorbent vessels that originate in all parts of the 
body. From the body in general, they collect the fluid which has escaped 
from the blood-vessels into the different tissues, as well as the particles 
of worn-out tissues, and convey both into the venous circulation near the 
heart. At their extremities, the lymphatics are spread out in a minute 
network, from which they pass to the lymphatic glands, or to a larger 
trunk. In passing through these glands, which are small solid bodies 
found in the course of the lymphatic vessels—for example, in the neck, 
the armpit, the groin, &c.—the fluid receives a part of its peculiar pro- 
perties. 
The lacteals, already mentioned, are simply the lymphatics of the 
smaller intestine; but the fluid they carry is called chyle instead of 
lymph. On the inner coat of the small intestine are a great number of small 
conical projections, called villz, from Latin vellus, a fleece of wool. At the 
points of these villi, the lacteals take their origin. They then pass between 
the two folds of the membrane which connects the intestine with the _ 
cerebral column, and make their way to a pouch or bag in the lumbar 
region, from which the thoracic? duct conveys the chyle upward along the 
spinal column to above the level of the heart ; then crossing to the left 
side, it joins another vein by which ifs contents reach the heart. 
Circulation of the Blood. 
The process of digestion just described prepares a fluid called the 
Bioop, which conveys nutriment to all parts of the body. It at the same 
time takes up all waste matter, which is carried to the lungs, where it is 
discharged, and a supply of new matter received from the air, as will be 
explained under RESPIRATION. 
To effect all this, a continual circulation of the blood is necessary, 
which is produced by a very simple but effective pumping apparatus 
called the Heart. 
The blood itself consists of a nearly colourless fluid called the liquor of 
the blood, and, floating in this fluid, an immense number of round, flat 
particles called globules,’ or corpuscles.* 
1 From Latin lympha, water. 2 From Latin thoraz, the chest. 
3 From Latin globulus, diminutive of globus, a ball. 
4 From Latin corpusculum, diminutive of corpus, a body. 
