84 The Microscopic Structure eS ae Lamb. 
ing a large round nucleus. These cells differ much in their size ; 
some of them are not much larger than their nucleus. Free nuclei 
are also secn interspersed among them. The diameter of the largest 
cells is about 3,55 of an inch, and that of their nucleus z¢55 of an 
inch or smaller; the latter contains mostly two or three nucleoli. 
The epithelium of the larger ducts of the plexus consists also of 
these cells, whose diameter, however, decreases in proportion to that 
of the duct which they line. In the finer ducts of this plexus, like 
in the finer hepatic ducts, the epithelium is nucleated, that is, com- 
posed only of nuclei. 
The “hepatic glands” with their plexus of ducts are surrounded 
by a network of capillary blood-vessels, derived from small arteries, 
branches of that arterial plexus within the capsule and terminating 
in venules going to their respective venous plexus of small vessels, 
contained in the meshes of the capsule, as previously described 
(Fig. 8, d). Each individual follicle or gland receives a capillary 
in the form of a loop. 
Before closing the remarks on the subject of the “hepatic 
glands,” I will refer once more to their connection with the hepatic 
ducts. When the latter become so small as not to be surrounded 
any more by the plexus formed by the ducts of the “ hepatic glands,” 
we find that their walls commence to be provided with single glands ; 
that is, the glands, instead of first joining a plexus of large ducts, 
empty directly into the hepatic ducts. 
To study thoroughly the various forms of the “hepatic glands ” 
and their ducts, and the relationship they sustain to the hepatic 
ducts and lymphatics, specimens, well injected with Prussian blue, 
are indispensable. In such preparations the epithelial cells can still 
be observed. For the examination of the structure we have to 
resort to the uninjected specimens. The locality which I usually 
prefer for the latter purpose is on the inferior surface of the liver 
and between the larger branches of the hepatic duct; here the 
plexus is very extensive. In putting a fresh liver under water and 
carefully removing the peritoneum from that part, the glands are 
readily recognized by their yellowish pink colour. They are then 
dissected out under a magnifying glass of low power and placed on 
a glass slide. Being well covered with water, they are thoroughly 
freed from the surrounding fibrous tissue by means of fine-curved 
needles ; this is best accomplished on the dissecting stage under a 
magnifying power from 8 to 10 diameters, and by transmitted light. 
Having been thus properly prepared, their components may be 
studied very satisfactorily. 
It frequently happens that while dissecting out these glands, a 
small hepatic duct is cut, and a small portion of its epithelium escapes 
in the form of small round yellowish bodies. Precaution must be 
taken not to mistake these for the glands. The error may be 
