138 



DIGESTION 



means of their blood-vessels, absorb its fluid contents, just as 

 the spongioles which terminate the rootlets of plants imbibe 

 moisture from the surrounding soil. 



42. Secondly, absorption is also effected by the lacteals, a 

 set of vessels peculiar to the small intestines. These have 

 their beginnings in the little villi just mentioned, side by side 

 with the blood-vessels. These two sets of absorbents run in 



D B 



FIG. 30. THE LACTEALS 

 A, Small Intestine; B, Lacteals; C, Thorax Duct; D, Absorbents; E, ^iood-vessel 



different courses, but their destination is the same, which is 

 the right side of the heart. The lacteals receive their name 

 from the milky-white appearance. After a meal containing 

 a portion of fat, they are distended with chyle, which they 



42. How is absorption effected in another way ? Describe it. 

 From what is the name of the lacteals derived ? 

 What tube is formed by the union of the lacteals ? . 

 Describe its courst. 



