TRANSACTIONS OF THE SKCTIONS. 123 



of which all through the body were totally devoid of valves. The ar- 

 terial system, commencing from the capillary terminations of the veins, 

 ran together into a central vessel on the front of the lumbar vertebrse, 

 making there a sort of aorta, like that in fishes, from which two umbi- 

 lical arteries arose, and proceeded in the usual manner to the placenta. 

 There was no communication between the venous and arterial systems 

 such as that established in the natural condition by the foramen ovale 

 and ductus arteriosus. By whatsoever system the blood entered the 

 umbilicus of the foetus, by the same it must have been distributed through 

 all the textures of its body. 



A round tumour existed in the substance of the chord outside the 

 umbilicus, which during the growth of the foetus had interfered with 

 the freedom of the circulation : the umbilical vein was varicose between 

 the tumour and the placenta, and the arteries were similarly affected 

 from the opposite side of the same point, as far back as the aorta, as 

 was readily ascertained by a comparison of the sizes of these vessels 

 before and after they had passed the tumour. 



Reviewing the facts of this case in connection with the published 

 views of physiologists, Dr. Houston adopts the opinion that the blood 

 in the placentae and chords of both infants takes the same course, but 

 that in circulating through their bodies the currents run in opposite di- 

 rections ; viz., that in both it arrives at the placenta by the veins, but 

 that in the natural infant it is transferred from the umbilical vein to the 

 aorta by the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus, to be distributed 

 thence in the usual manner ; whilst in the monster, in which there is 

 no such communication between the venous and arterial systems, it is 

 conveyed all through the body by the veins, and is returned therefrom 

 by the arteries. 



As to the mode of circulation in the body of the monster, it is obvious. 

 Dr. Houston observes, that the blood had but one course, and that the 

 very reverse of what is usual. Having been conveyed thereto by the 

 umbilical vein, it passed into the vena cava, and was distributedby the 

 valveless branches of that vessel throughout all the textures of the 

 body ; it was there taken up by the capillaries constituting the roots of 

 the aorta, and conducted thence out of the body again by the umbilical 

 arteries. 



On the Pathological Condition of the Bones in Chronic Rheumatism. 

 By R. Adams, Esq. 



The various changes taking place in the extremities of the bones 

 which constitute the joints principally attacked by this disease, were 

 minutely described, and illustrated by interesting specimens, casts, and 

 drawings. 



On the State of the neic Circulating Channels in the case of double Pop- 

 liteal Aneurism. By R. Adams, Esq. 



Mr. Adams exhibited to the Section a preparation and drawings il- 



