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3. Verbal Notice respecting the Thyroid, Thymus, and Supra- 

 renal Bodies. By John Goodsir, Esq. 



In a verbal notice of researches into the nature of the thyroid, 

 thymus, and suprarenal bodies, Mr Goodsir stated that these three ano- 

 malous organs, situated respectively in the neck, chest, and abdomen, 

 are in the embryo connected together in the form of two continuous 

 masses, one on each side of the spine, from the base of the cranium 

 to the origin of the omphalo-mesenteric arteries. The first or 

 abdominal portion of each of these masses, grouped around the 

 origins of the omphalo-mesenteric arteries, become the supra-renal 

 capsules. The middle or thoracic portions, situated in the lateral 

 parts of the thorax, whex-e the lungs, at this period in the middle 

 line, are afterwards to be, pass forwards to give place to the latter, 

 and unite across the front of the pericardium, and become the 

 thymus gland. 



The anterior or cervical portion of this united mass separates from 

 the posterior or thymus, groups itself around the anastomosing 

 branches (inferior and superior thyroid arteries) of the first and 

 second branchial arteries (the carotids and subclavians), and remains 

 permanently a? the thyroid. 



The two lateral masses, out of which these three bodies are thus 

 originally formed, Mr Goodsir has found to be a portion of the mem- 

 braua intermedia of the area vasculosa of the egg. Such being the 

 morphology, the detection of the function of these three bodies would 

 require very delicate chemical inquiry. In general terms, however, 

 it may be stated to be the same as that of tlie blastoderma. 



The following Candidates were duly elected Fellows of the 

 Society : — 



Dr BuiST, Bombay, 



W, Murray, Esq., of Henderland, 



