236 



MANUAL OF HISTOLOGY. 



are inclined to accept this as the correct view, although Rollett supposes 

 the connective-tissue fibres to have their origin independently of the cell. 



The fasciculi, according to this, spring from the metamorphosis of the 

 original cell-body, or, if we prefer an expression of M. Schultzds, are pro- 

 duced by "the formative agency of the protoplasm." 



We refer the student to figs. 227, 228, 229, and 230, almost all of 

 which apply to the development of solid connective-tissue masses poor in 

 blood-vessels and intermediate fluid. 



Such appearances were known long ago to Schwann, who interpreted 

 them quite correctly. Later on the connective-tissue fibrillse were sup- 

 posed to be formed by a metamorphosis of the intercellular substance, a 

 theory for which at last even Koelliker declared himself. 



At the present day, when the absence of an envelope on the connective- 

 tissue cells is looked upon as certain, and the intercellular substance is 

 regarded as at least in many cases a metamorphosed external part of the 

 cell-body, as in cartilage (p. 167), the relationship of the cell-body to the 

 fibrillae appears again such as indicated by Schwann. 



From the length of mature connective-tissue bundles, it may be inferred 

 that the fibrillae of adjacent cells unite in a longitudinal direction in their 

 formation (Boll). 



"We turn now to the inquiry, what is the further destiny of the so 

 much impoverished formative cell of connective-tissue 1 



It appears to vary in different ways. 



In some cases this cell persists, separates from its product the fasciculus, 

 and is transformed into that frequently flattened, sometimes smooth-edged, 



Fig. 229. a, Fusiform, 

 apparently forma- 

 tive cells of connec- 

 tive-tissue fasciculi ; 

 ft, cell-body and 

 flbrillar substance 

 still distinguishable. 



Fig. 230. A fusiform 

 cell from the tendon 

 of an embryonic pig 

 8 inches long, a, a 

 cell with protoplasm ; 

 b, connective - tissue 

 fibrillse (spirit of wine 

 preparation). 



sometimes jagged element with which we have become acquainted through 

 the investigations of Kuhne, Ranvier, Flemming, and JBoll, as the cell of 

 mature connective-tissue (comp. 129). 



Again, the nucleus remains behind with a small (fig. 230) or frequently 

 almost imperceptible residue of protoplasm. This is the case in those 

 connective-tissue structures we have already considered, in which appa- 

 rently naked nuclei are met with in the fibrous mass ( 132, for instance.) 



Thirdly, the nucleus seems, in some cases, to disappear early with its 

 scanty remainder of protoplasm, by commencing fatty degeneration (Boll), 



