] i [Book IX. 



CHAP. XXVI. 



STRUCTURE AND COURSE OF THE 

 LYMPHATICS. 



Two Kinds of Lymphatics. Defcription of thefe Vefrcls. Lymphatic 

 Glands. Latteals. Thoracic Dv-8. Receptacle oftbeCbjle, 13 c. 



LYMPHATICS are fmall pellucid veffels, 

 which convey fluids perfectly, or very nearly, 

 colourlefs. The lymphatics are of two kinds; thofe 

 which take up fluids from the body in general, and 

 thofe which receive the digefted aliment from the in- 

 terlines. The latter kind are called lafteals, and both 

 of them terminate in a common trunk, the thoracic 

 dud. 



The lymphatics have at leaft two coats, which 

 are thin and tranfparent, but tolerably ftrong. They 

 have alfo nerves and mufcular fibres, as may be col- 

 lected from their fenfibility when inflamed, and from 

 their power of contraction. They are furnifhed with 

 valves, which are placed in pairs, and which are fo 

 numerous, that three or four of them often occur 

 within the diftance of one inch. From this circum- 

 flance they are frequently called valvular lymphatic 

 vcflels, to diitinguifh them from the minute ramifica- 

 tions of the fanguifercus fyftem, which alfo convey 

 a colourlefs fluid. 



Lymphatics begin by extremely minute tubes from 

 the whole furfcce of 'he body, from the cellular fub- 

 ftance, horn f n ._k;> of the body, from all the 



glands, from all the viicera, and in general from every 

 part of the fyftem. 



It 



