474 ANATOMICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 



exact relative anatomy of this very peculiar system of vessels, 

 or in what manner those running in the longitudinal direction 

 of the leg are connected with the circular one which sur- 

 rounds the foramen at the point of fracture, but immediately 

 after the animal has thrown off the injured limb, the raw 

 surface becomes covered with these vessels. Before the 

 separation, the vessels had been partially empty ; but imme- 

 diately on the separation taking place, they became so 

 distended as to become visible to the naked eye. In all the 

 observations made, it was generally found that these vessels 

 presented a radiated appearance on the newly made surface, 

 running from the circumference to the circular one sur- 

 rounding the situation of the germ. The greater number also 

 appeared to terminate at the circumference by means of 

 blind extremities. A dark circular disc was seen at the 

 extremity of many of these cul-de-sacs, which had all the 

 appearance of a germinal spot. When these vessels were 

 first seen, they were thought to be connected with the re- 

 productive gland alone, but after further observations, this 

 appeared to be incorrect; and, as already mentioned, their 

 relations are so extensive and complicated as to require much 

 more time for their elucidation than I have had since they 

 came under my observation. It is evident, however, they 

 perform some important function in the economy of the 

 animal, but whether it is connected with the reproduction of 

 lost parts or not, is a question to be decided by future obser- 

 vation. 



Immediately on the limb being thrown off, a quantity of 

 blood escapes, which is soon stopped by the retraction of the 

 vessels. After this takes place, we see the small open foramen 

 for the passage of the artery and nerve, which becomes closed 

 almost immediately by means of a slight film which spreads 

 over the whole of the exposed surface. ^Vllen this surface is 

 examined some hours after the loss, we find that the small 



