44 



THE CONNECTIVE TISSUES. 



[CH. IV. 



doubt the cells do exercise a controlling influence on fibre-formation 

 in their neighbourhood, but it is extremely doubtful whether they 

 ever become fibres. The formation of fibres is now believed to be 

 intercellular. Some of the fibres formed are of the white, others 



Fig- 59- Development of elastic tissue by deposition of fine granules, g, fibres being 

 formed by rows of elastic granules. P, platelike expansion of elastic substance 

 formed by the fusion of elastic granules. (Ranvier.) 



of the yellow variety. In the case of the elastic fibres, rows of 

 granules of elastin are first deposited ; these joining together in 

 single or multiple rows form the long fibres : traces of this are 

 seen in transverse markings occasionally noticeable in the larger 

 elastic fibres. 



Fibrous Tissue. 



This is a kind of connective tissue in which the white fibres 

 predominate ; it is found in tendons and ligaments, in the 



Fig. 60. Mature white fibrous tissue of tendon, consisting mainly of fibres with a few 

 scattered fusiform cells. (Strieker.) 



