Montt : 
pt arity eee of the Human Liver. 85 
detected by the difference existing between the epithelial cells, those 
of the hepatic duct being columnar. 
Cells, free Nuclei and Granules, occupying the interspaces of the two 
Capillary Networks of the Parenchyma of the Liver. 
The great irregularity of form, peculiar to the hepatic cells, dis- 
tinguishes them from most other cells in the animal organism. 
They represent irregular polyhedrons, the diameter of which ranges 
from yo¢oo tO tolioo Of an inch. When closely examined, while 
floating in water, a constant change of form, according to the posi- 
tion they assume, can readily be observed. This is owing to the 
great irregularity of their numerous surfaces, which, undoubtedly 
have been produced by an unequal mutual pressure of the whole 
mass. The difference of form in one and the same cell, when 
viewed from different sides, is very striking; and proves how un- 
satisfactory and incorrect the results of an examination of the liver 
cells, in their quiescent state, must be. If, however, the attention 
of the observer is closely directed to the angles of the various sur- 
faces of a hepatic cell while in motion, they may still be recognized, 
after it has quietly settled. The walls of the hepatic cells are very 
delicate, and very difficult to be seen while the latter are floating 
in water, but may be distinguished during their state of rest. The 
interior of the cells is occupied by a greenish-yellow and highly- 
viscid substance. I have convinced myself of the viscid nature of 
this substance by slowly tearing the cells with the fine needles of 
the “microscopic dissector.” Fig. 6, a, represents ,a hepatic cell, 
caught by the points of two needles, and partially torn; at b, we 
notice the same cell, entirely severed by the further separation of 
the points of the needles; its halves are held together by the viscid 
contents drawn out into a filament. Fig. 7 is another cell, muti- 
lated by a needle with a broken point; its contents are also drawn 
out in the form of filaments. When cells are torn in this manner, 
their walls seem not to possess a great amount of elasticity, but 
break rather abruptly. 
Imbedded in the viscid material, contained within the hepatic 
cell, we find a nucleus and granules. Frequently there are two 
nuclei, and in some instances I have even observed three. The 
interior of the nucleus also contains some granules, one or two of 
which are, usually, larger than the rest, and may be regarded as 
the nucleoli. In two instances I have observed a granule within 
the nucleolus. The form of the nucleus is mostly round, or slightly 
oval ; its mean diameter is yo3o0 of an inch, that of the nucleolus 
about y5t00- 
Besides the nucleolus and granules, the hepatic cells of the 
human liver frequently contain some oil-globules, whose presence I 
