CHAP, iv.] METABOLIC PROCESSES OF THE BODY. 747 



which run in the connective tissue separating the lobules and 

 forming the beginnings of Glisson's capsule. The lymphatic 

 vessels lying near the upper surface of the liver find their way 

 along the ligaments of the liver to the thoracic lymphatics, those 

 coming from the right side passing to the right lymphatic trunk ; 

 all the rest of the lymphatics pass out along the portal canal and 

 fall into the abdominal thoracic duct. 



From the details given above we may infer that the liver is in 

 part an ordinary secreting gland. The hepatic cells living on the 

 blood brought to them manufacture bile, which they discharge into 

 the narrow lumina of the minute bile-canaliculi, from whence it 

 flows outside the lobule along the more open passages of the bile- 

 ducts. But the blood supply is not only out of all proportion to 

 the demands of mere secretory work, but also is peculiar in so far 

 that the blood reaches the liver laden with many of the products 

 of digestion. This would lead us to infer that the hepatic cells 

 are, as we have already suggested, also largely engaged in with- 

 drawing substances from the portal blood, not for the purpose 

 simply of forming bile, but in order that other substances, or the 

 same substances more or less altered, should be added to the blood 

 of the hepatic vein and so distributed throughout the body for the 

 body's use. And we have experimental evidence that such a work 

 is carried on. 



482 



