TUMORS. 



543 



an extent had this change progressed that only a delicate layer of fibrous con- 

 nective tissue was left around the considerably dilated blood-vessels. 



Sometimes we see in the connective tissue, besides the regular alveolar 

 formations, spindle-shaped groups composed of small epithelial elements ; 

 many of these groups prove to be on all sides inclosed by connective tissue. 

 Furthermore, epithelial formations occur which are traversed by a branching, 

 shining, elastic reticulum, as illustrated in Fig. 224. The elastic fibers are 

 arranged in such a way that the boundaries of the former territories of con- 

 nective tissue still remain recognizable, while in some places the elastic retic- 

 ulum replaces the epithelial cement-substance. 



Finally, I would draw attention to rather common formations of the tran- 

 sition of indifferent bioplasson masses into distinct epithelial bodies. On the 



FIG. 227. CANCER OF THE LIVER. 



L, bioplasson lump in the middle of a rhomb of basis-substance of connective tissue 

 <Glisson's capsule) ; It, multiuuclear, rhomboidal bioplasson formations, sprung from con- 

 nective tissue ; V, blood-vessel. Magnified 600 diameters. 



one hand, small groups of a spindle- or rhomb-shape, composed of epithelia, 

 are imbedded in the fibrous connective tissue bordering the large alveoli. 

 (See Fig. 227.) On the other hand, the epithelial character of single elements 

 in rapidly growing cancers is not marked, as before mentioned. 



From what I have seen, I cannot support the decided distinction hitherto 

 defined between epithelium and connective tissue. In the development of 

 connective tissue we often observe formations bearing all the features of epi- 



