CHAP. XV.] 



ALIMENTATION. 



189 



discharge this into the minute bile canaliculi, whence it passes 

 into the bile ducts to be conveyed into the small intestine. 

 The cells, however, perform another important function, in that 

 they change some of the substances brought to them in the 

 blood from the digestive organs in such a manner as to render 

 these substances suitable for the nutrition of the body ; but, at 



FIG. 121. -LOBULE OF RABBIT'S LIVER, VESSELS AND BILE DUCTS INJECTED. 

 a, central or intralobular vein; b, b, interlobular veins; c, interlobular bi 



present, it will be sufficient to consider the secretion of bile as 

 the only function of the liver. 



The bile is taken from the liver by a right and left duct, 

 which soon unite to form the hepatic duct. The hepatic duct 

 rims downwards and to the right for an inch and a half (38 mm. ), 

 and then joins at an acute angle the duct from the gall-bladder, 



