THE GUMS. 



321 



The gums are distinguished by their thickness, by their 

 density, being almost cartilaginous ; by their intimate ad- 

 hesion with the periosteum of the alveolar processes ; and 

 by their strong attachment to the necks' of the teeth. The 

 vascularity of the gums, as developed by Mr. Nasmyth's 

 microscope, is seen in the annexed figure. 



A represents the B lower part of the fig- 



papillae of a part 

 of the gum of an 

 adult, minutely in- 

 jected, magnified 

 38 diameters, and 

 shows the tortuous 

 course of the capil- 

 lary vessels. 



B represents a 

 part of the gum 

 and adjacent mu- 

 cous membrane of 

 the human fcetus, 

 magnified 100 di- 

 ameters. In the 



FIG. 96. A 



ure are seen the plex- 

 uses formed by the 

 larger vessels ; and in 

 the upper part are 

 seen the papillae. 

 c 



C shows a portion of the mucous membrane of the gum 

 and palate of the human fcetus, minutely injected and mag- 

 nified *75 diameters. The deeper vessels are the largest, 

 and the spaces in the superficial plexus correspond to the 

 situation of the submucous glands. 



