TISSUES, ORGANS, AND SYSTEMS. 73 



elastic fibres stand at the bottom of the series of the higher 

 elementary parts, and thence most readily adapt themselves to 

 the regeneration of lost substance, or to the increase of parts 

 ■which already exist. 



The union of the different elements of the connective tissue 

 is effected in many ways, but the following forms are most 

 worthy of distinction : 



1. Solid connective tissue (formed connective tissue, Henle). 

 In this the elements are intimately united, and in such a 

 manner, that simple organs of well-marked form proceed from 

 them. To this belong : 



a. The tendons and ligaments, with parallel bundles, united 

 by loose connective tissue, into larger cords, between which a 

 relatively very small number only of fine elastic fibres, and 

 fibrous networks, penetrate. 



b. The fibro-cartilages have the same structure as the ten- 

 dons and ligaments, but with numerous scattered cartilage 

 ceils, and without finer elastic fibres. They exist either as 

 special organs, such as the cartilagines inter articul ares and the 

 cotyloid ligaments, or in particular parts of other organs com- 

 posed of connective tissue, especially in the tendons, the ten- 

 dinous sheaths, and the ligaments. 



c. The fibrous membranes are distinguished from a, only by 

 the frequent interweaving of the bundles, and generally by the 

 more considerable number of the clastic fibres. Here may be 

 enumerated : 



1. The muscular fascia, which have more the structure of 

 tendons. 



2. The periosteal membranes and the perichondral mem- 

 branes, containing sometimes a great number of elastic 

 elements. 



3. The white dense tunics of many soft organs, as the dura 

 mater, the neurilemma, the sclerotic and cornea, the fibrous 

 coat of the spleen and kidneys, the tunica albuginea of the 

 ovaries and testes, penis and clitoris. In the last-mentioned 

 parts, and in the spleen, these coats, which consist of a solid 

 connective tissue and numerous fine elastic fibres, are continued 

 into the interior, where mixed to some extent with smooth 

 muscles, they constitute a more or less complete frame-work, 

 which appears in the form of partitions, or of a stroma, or of a 



