118 AREOLAR TISSUE. 



have precisely similar relations to the cell, and both elevate 

 the cell-membrane into a prominence at the points where 

 they are attached. "When one of these cells is pressed 

 under the compressorium, the cell-membrane is at first 

 remarkably expanded, and then tears to a very limited 

 extent, allowing the fat to flow out. W 7 hen the pressure is 

 discontinued, it contracts again strongly. It has a minutely 

 granulous aspect, is soft and very elastic, but not fibrous. 



In close apposition, the cells become flattened against one 

 another into polyhedral shapes, and, as Gurlt remarks, they 

 then resemble vegetable cells in their appearance. We, how- 

 ever, may go further, and regard them as corresponding in 

 signification also. In them the fat forms the cell- contents, as 

 the pigment does in its cells, and the ethereal oil, &c. in those 

 of plants. In its physiological signification of nutritive deposit 

 it has more analogy with starch than with any other substance. 

 I know not whether the nucleus is the part first formed in 

 these cells, or not. Nuclei without any investing cells are 

 found in the cranial cavity of the carp, lying with the adipose 

 cells in the surrounding cytoblastema ; these, however, may 

 be nuclei of fibre-cells of areolar tissue. Sooner or later the 

 nuclei become absorbed. They were still quite distinct in the 

 adipose cells of the subcutaneous areolar tissue in the thigh 

 of the before-mentioned rickety child twelve months old, 

 whilst I could not detect any in the neck of a foetus at the 

 seventh month. The absorption of the nucleus proceeds in one 

 of two ways ; either its external contour becomes gradually 

 indistinct, some granulous substance merely being left in its 

 place, which substance also disappears at a later period, or 

 small fat-globules are formed both within the nucleus itself, 

 and in its immediate proximity, which go on increasing in 

 size, whilst the nucleus gradually disappears. The cell-mem- 

 brane probably remains, even in the mature condition of the 

 tissue, and Gurlt has made the very interesting observation, 

 that in emaciated persons, the ordinary adipose cells are filled 

 with serum. 



c, The third kind of cells which occur, in the areolar tissue 

 of the foetus are round, for the most part extremely pale and 

 transparent (pi. Ill, fig. 9.) They vary very much in size, 



