44 ORGANS OF DIGESTION. 



which this calculation is founded, the entire number of follicles 

 is one million two hundred and ninety-six thousand. 



The great uniformity of size of these follicles in the colon, 

 and its even surface, enable us to count them with more cer- 

 tainty, and they appear to exist at the beginning of this gut at 

 the rate of about four hundred for every eighth of an inch square, 

 but in the sigmoid flexure at the rate of about two hundred to 

 the same area; they become, in fact, both smaller and less nu- 

 merous in descending towartls the anus. Their average may 

 be stated, therefore, as three hundred for every one-eighth of an 

 inch square and as nineteen thousand two hundred for every 

 inch square. Admitting the entire area of the colon to be five 

 hundred inches, and nineteen thousand two hundred of these 

 follicles, to exist on every inch square, the aggregate number 

 will be nine millions six hundred and twenty thousand. 



Again, estimating the whole area of the mucous coat of the 

 small intestines at fourteen hundred and forty inches, and al- 

 lowing for interruptions occasioned by villi, about three hun- 

 dred and ninety follicles exist upon every one-eighth of an inch 

 square, or 24.900 upon an inch : say then, that about twenty- 

 five thousand follicles are found upon every square inch, and 

 the two numbers multiplied, produce thirty-six millions. 



The entire number of follicles in the whole alimentary canal, 

 is, by the preceding estimates, forty-six millions nine hundred 

 thousand, and upwards. I am very far from pretending to 

 have counted them all, but have made an approximation to the 

 actual number by observing sections of different portions of 

 the same subject, and verifying the observations upon other 

 subjects. 



The external surface of the cutis vera presents, as it were, 

 in outline the same follicular arrangement; the venous reticu- 

 lar intertexture appearing broader, not quite so perfect, and 

 more shallow, and forming the papillae; but as additional expe- 

 periments are wanting, it may be passed over with this tran- 

 sient notice; perhaps, indeed, a more skilful hand in adopting 

 the hint may perfect the details.* 



* It is probably this which constitutes the bio dy pimples (bourgeons sarv- 

 guins) of the skin. 



