Chap. 26.] Lymphatic Glands. 263 



It is now well afcertained, that not only water is 

 absorbed by the lymphatics on the furface of the 

 body, but many other fubftances. No lymphatics 

 have been demonftrated in the brain ; but from a 

 variety of circumftances there can be very little doubt 

 of their exiftence. 



All the lymphatics of the body pafs through cer- 

 tain glands, which are connected with them. When 

 the lymphatics approach thefe glands, they fend fome 

 branches to neighbouring lymphatics j other branches 

 pafs over the furface of the glands, and others enter 

 their fubftance, in which they are fo minutely divided 

 as to efcape obfervation. A great number of thefe 

 glands are placed at the upper psrt of the thigh, be- 

 longing to the lymphatics of the lower extremity; 

 others are placed under the arm, belonging to thofe 

 of the upper j and there are fimilar glands about the 

 neck, and in various other parts of the body. It is 

 at prefent difputed among anatomifts, whether lym- 

 phatic glands are formed of cells or convoluted veffels ; 

 but the latter opinion feerns to be more probable. 

 Lymphatic or conglobate glands are of various fizes, 

 from that of a fmall pea to that of a bean. They 

 are commonly fome what flattened. In young fub- 

 je6ls they are found of a reddifh or brown colour, 

 but they become whiter in the progrefs of life. Their 

 furface is fhining, which is owing to a fmooth denfe 

 coat with which they are covered. Thefe glands are 

 faid to be wanting in fome animals, which yet have 

 lymphatic veflels. 



The lacteals are fo called from a- degree of white- 

 nefs in their appearance like that of milk, which they 

 receive from the colour of the fluid they convey. 

 They arife from the villous coat both of the great 

 and fmall inteftines, but principally from the fmall, 

 S 4 particularly 



