iv] of Glands and Tissues. 87 



rendered all the more difficult by reason of a dispute concerning 

 boundaries which had arisen between the Malpighi family and 

 the family of Sbaraglia the possessors of an adjoining property. 

 This dispute was continued on until the end of Malpighi's 

 days and in course of time widened from a mere quarrel about 

 land into a bitter and sustained effort on the part of the 

 Sbaraglia family to do harm in every possible way to Malpighi's 

 fame and welfare. Hence though he returned to the University 

 for a short time in the succeeding year, it was not until the 

 year after, in 1651, that he definitely resumed his studies, and 

 then with the view of entering upon the profession of medicine. 



The Obscurantists, the Galenists were at that time still 

 powerful in the University; but Bartolommeo Massari, Professor 

 of Medicine, was- full of the new learning. Not content with the 

 formal duties of his chair, he in 1650 gathered together at his 

 own house some of the younger professors and older students, 

 forming them into a club to which later on, the number of 

 members becoming limited to nine, the number of the Muses, 

 the name of the Coras anatomicus was given. Stimulated by 

 Harvey's new views and by the discovery of the lacteals, the 

 enthusiastic nine made their meetings the occasion not only 

 for discussions but also for dissections on dead bodies, and ex- 

 periments on living animals. Into their number the young 

 Malpighi was soon admitted, and in what he learnt at their 

 meetings he laid the foundations of his future work. Accurate 

 and unwearied in study, bright in mind, quick to grasp each 

 new thing, but withal mild, retiring and affectionate in dis- 

 position, he soon gained the love and esteem of his teacher, 

 and so rapidly did he profit by what he was taught that in two 

 years, in 1653, he became Doctor in Medicine and Philosophy. 



As doctor he had a right to expect that he would be allowed 

 to deliver a course of lectures; but not only as the pupil of 

 Massari but also and perhaps by reason of what he was already 

 shewing himself to be, he was in disfavour with the Obscurantists 

 in power, and the right was for a time denied him. Meanwhile 

 he drew closer the bonds which bound him to his teacher by 

 marrying, in 1654, Francesca, Massari's sister, who, though she 

 bore him no children, stood by his side until a few weeks before 



