236 



THE MICROSCOPIST. 



the embryonic condition of most tissues, and in the um- 

 bilicus and the vitreous humor of the eye this character 

 persists after birth. 



The mucus which normally covers the mucous mem- 

 branes is largely, if not wholly, derived from the swell- 

 ing and softening of epithelial cells, but in mucoid degen- 



A 



Yellow softening of the white substance of the brain. A. Border of the depot of soft- 

 ening, B, and of the brain-substance, C, not yet softened. D. A fatty degenerated ves- 

 sel. 1-300. After RINDFLEISCH. 



eration the change chiefly pertains to the intercellular 

 elements. Thus cartilage softens (Fig. 189). 



The matrix first exhibits striae which afterwards split 

 into fibres. The ends of the fibrils taper to a point and 

 are dissolved by mucoid metamorphosis. In bone the 

 solution of the lime salts and the liquefaction of the basis- 

 substance are generally simultaneous, but in some cases, 

 as in Fig. 190, the difference between the two is quite 

 apparent. 



3. Colloid Degeneration. 



In this the cells, rather than the intercellular structure, 

 are especially involved. Colloid resembles mucin in ap- 



