1^8 



Col. Velley'j Remarh on the Nature, <^c. 



work upon the fubje6t of the Fuci'''\ which attributes the formation 

 of thofe fine vcflels to the laceration of the internal fubftance, as the 

 fides become dilated into the air-bladders. An examination of thefe 

 flender threads under the microfcope will probably induce the ob- 

 ferver to entertain a different opinion. If they originated from the 

 caufe fuppofed, they would appear in a lacerated unconneiSted ftate; 

 and, being formed from the broken mafs, could never be fo curioufly 

 anaftomatifed one with another : neither would the relaxed and 

 diffolved contents be drawn out into tubular and jointed forms. 

 Eefides, thefe capillary veflels generally dilate at the point of inofcu- 

 lation, forming a kind of joint, in an uniform manner. It is very 

 difficult to conceive that a texture furpalfing in tenuity the fineft 

 web, and at the fame time fo curioufly organized, iTiould be pro- 

 duced by a general revulfion of the expanding mafs. 



* See TraiifaBkns of the Liimean Society, vol. ill. p. 9I> 92. ■ 



XVI. De. 



