THE CONNE CTI VE-S UBS TA NCE GR O UP. 



43 



unfrequcntly the latter envelop so-called daughter cells (comp. 



Fig. 



19)- 





WW 



Fig. 43.— Thyroid cartilage 

 of the hog The basis sub- 

 stance is divided into cell- 

 districts. 



fShki 



How have these capsules and the intermediate substance 

 been formed ? Concerning this there has 

 been much discussion. Nowadays we 

 must say that both are cell products, are 

 substances yielded by the cell, and were 

 formerly a part of the cell body itself. In 

 the ensiform process of the sternum of the 

 rabbit, it is easy to recognize, without re- 

 agents, that the intercellular substance is 

 formed only of the cemented capsules of 

 the cartilage cells (Remak). By the aid 

 of macerating media this can also, with greater difficulty, it is 

 true, be demonstrated in other 

 mammalial and human cartilage 

 (Fig. 43). Here, also, the appar- 

 ently homogeneous intermediate 

 substance becomes divided into a 

 system of concentric capsule lay- 

 ers, which embrace within them 

 the cell or the cell group. The 

 individual capsular systems are 

 cemented to each other and like- 

 wise the external capsules of ad- 

 joining cells. From the similarity 

 of the power of refraction is caused 

 the phantasm of homogeneous- 

 ness ; the cartilage cell lies in a 

 chasm. When the innermost, 

 last-formed capsule has preserved 

 an additional, peculiar exponent 

 of refraction, we perceive this 

 (Figs. 42, 44) as something dif- 

 ferent from the remaining intermediate substance. 



This division of the cells within their cavities, or, which 

 amounts to the same, within their capsules, gains consider- 



Fig. 44. — From the costal cartilage of 

 an old man. 



