164 CONNECTIVE TISSUE. 



plastids, and in this layer scanty capillary blood- and lymph- ves- 

 sels are found. Both blood- and lymph-vessels ramify the more 

 the nearer they approach the surface, so that the papillary layer 

 has the greatest number of vessels. In every direction we meet 

 with longitudinal, oblique, and transverse sections of bundles, the 

 latter being characterized by a dull luster and a homogeneous or 

 finely dotted appearance. At the periphery of the bundles we see 

 elastic fibers branching at acute angles, in correspondence with the 

 territories composing a bundle. The elastic basis-substance is 



FIG. 59. TENDON OF ACHILLES IN A LONGITUDINAL SECTION. STAINED 

 WITH CHLORIDE OF GOLD. 



1-8 are the bundles, between which the interfascicular spaces are seen ; T, torn bundles 

 exhibiting isolated fibrillse. Magnified 100 diameters. 



marked by yellow color and high degree of luster ; it increases 

 in amount with the age of the individual. 



The sclerotic shows bundles and groups of bundles, interlac- 

 ing usually at right angles. In transversely cut groups we see 

 that the single bundles are separated from their neighbors by a 

 cement-substance, which, on account of its lower degree of den- 

 sity, refracts the light less than the basis-substance of the bundles 

 themselves. The groups of bundles are separated by a continuous 

 layer of bioplasson, which therefore exhibits a reticular arrange- 

 ment. In specimens from the sclerotic of dark-colored cattle 

 this bioplasson layer is very prominent, owing to the presence 

 of black pigment granules. (See Fig. 58.) 



(c) Dense Connective Tissue composed of Coarse Bundles run- 

 ning in a Longitudinal Direction. The principal representative of 

 this variety is the tendon. 



