148 LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. 



branches go into some considerable lymphatics lying on the 

 left side of the spine. These last can be traced downwards 

 almost to the anus, and belong to the parts situated below the 

 mesentery, and particularly to the kidneys. At the root of 

 the mesentery, on the left side of the spine, the lymphatics of 

 the spleen join the lacteal s, and immediately above this union 

 a sort of plexus or network is formed, which lies upon the 

 right aorta (for there are two aortse in this animal). From this 

 plexus a large branch arises, which passes behind the right 

 aorta to the left side, and gets before the left aorta, where it 

 assists in forming a very large receptaculum which lies upon 

 that artery. From this receptaculum arise the thoracic ducts. 

 From its right side goes one trunk, which is joined by that 

 large branch which came from the plexus to the left side of 

 the right aorta, and then passes over the spine. This trunk is 

 the thoracic duct of the right side; for, having got to the right 

 side of the spine, it runs upwards, on the inside of the right 

 aorta, towards the right subclavian vein. And when it has 

 advanced a little above the lungs, or within three or four inches 

 of the subclavian vein, it divides into branches, which, near 

 the same place, are joined by a large branch that comes up on 

 the outside of the aorta. From this part upwards those ves- 

 sels divide and subdivide, and are afterwards joined by the 

 lymphatics of the neck, which likewise form branches before 

 they join those from below ; so that between the thoracic duct 

 and the lymphatics of the same side of the neck a very intri- 

 cate network is made. From this network a branch goes into 

 the angle between the jugular vein and the lower part or trunk 

 of the subclavian : this branch, therefore, lies on the inside of 

 the jugular, whilst another gets to the outside of that vein, 

 and seems to open into it a little above the angle between that 

 vein and the subclavian. I say seems to open, for the injec- 

 tion had not succeeded at this part so as to enable me to de- 

 termine whether the last-mentioned branch did enter or not. 

 Into the above-mentioned receptaculum the lymphatics of the 

 stomach and duodenum likewise enter. Those of the duo- 

 denum run by the side of the pancreas, and probably receive its 

 lymphatics, and a part of those of the liver. The lymphatics 

 of the stomach and duodenum have very numerous anasto- 

 moses, and form a beautiful network on the artery which they 



