292 ABSORPTION. 



blood, or of that in the vessels of the part from which the 

 lymph is examined. Thus Herbst found that the coagula- 

 bility of the lymph is directly proportionate to that of the 

 blood ; and that when fluids are injected into the bloodvessels 

 in sufficient quantity to distend them, the injected substance 

 may be almost directly afterwards found in the lymphatics. 



It is not improbable, however, that some other matters than 

 those originally contained in the exuded liquor sanguinis may 

 find their way with it into the lymphatic vessels. Parts which, 

 having entered into the composition of a tissue, and, having 

 fulfilled their purpose, require to be removed, may not be 

 altogether excrementitious, but may admit of being reorganized 

 and adapted again for nutrition ; and these may be absorbed 

 by the lymphatics, and elaborated with the other contents of 

 the lymph in passing through the glands. 



Lymph- Hearts. In reptiles and some birds, an important 

 auxiliary to the movement of the lymph and chyle is supplied 

 in certain muscular sacs, named lymph-hearts (Fig. 100), and 

 Mr. Wharton Jones has lately shown that the caudal heart 

 of the eel is a lymph-heart also. The number and position of 



FIG. 100. 



Lymphatic heart (9 lines long, 4 lines broad) of a large species of serpent, the 

 Python bivittatus (after E. Weber). 4. The external cellular coat. 5. The thick 

 muscular coat. Four muscular columns run across its cavity, which communicates 

 with three lymphatics (1 only one is seen here), with two veins (2,2). 6. The 

 smooth lining membrane of the cavity. 7. A small appendage, or auricle, the cavity 

 of which is continuous with that of the rjst of the organ. 



these organs vary. In frogs and toads there are usually four, 

 two anterior and two posterior ; in the frog, the posterior lymph- 

 heart on each side is situated in the ischiatic region, just be- 

 neath the skin ; the anterior lies deeper, just over the transverse 

 process of the third vertebra. Into each of these cavities 

 several lymphatics open, the orifices of the vessels being guarded 



