PROCEEDINGS OF THE MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 189 



line of the velum, which takes its origin from the lowest extremity of 

 the uvula, dividing the velum into two equal halves, and proceeds to the 

 membrane of the hard palate, where, though it grows thinner, it may 

 be traced to the upper incisor tooth. On the posterior median line of 

 the velum this streak, though less distinct, yet in like manner pro- 

 ceeds from the uvula to the posterior nasal spine. The microscope 

 shows that it consists of large and chiefly longitudinal fasciculi of 

 strong elastic fibres which are traversed by only a few blood vessels 

 and nerves, and which spread out on either side of the median line 

 of the velum, beneath its mucous membrane, towards the tonsils. It is 

 observable that the middle portion is favourable to the considerable 

 power of contraction which the uvula possesses in the longitudinal 

 direction, and the lateral fibres to the mobility of the whole velum. 



The streak to which, only for the sake of indicating its independent 

 existence, Dr. Pappenheim gives the name of ligamentum uvulte, occurs 

 as well in tender children as in adults, and sometimes splits anteriorly 

 into two halves. Medicinische Zeitung, July 14th, 1841. Quoted in 

 Brit, and For. Med. Rev., January, 1842. 



Bischoff on the Microscopic Examination of Lymph. The fluid ex- 

 amined was taken from two large lymphatics in the neck of a dog. It 

 was quite clear and pellucid, and after some time coagulated, but with- 

 out assuming a reddish colour. It contained some yellow glistening 

 globules of no great size, having an average diameter of from 10 1 O ths 

 to 10 ooo tns f a Paris inch, the largest being 10 ^ 00 ths, the smallest 

 10 g 00 ths. A nucleus and envelope could not be distinguished in them. 

 They were not all quite round like the blood -globules ; nor were they 

 granular and nodulated. They were not altered by water, acetic acid, 

 or ether ; but in caustic potash they vanished immediately. Similar 

 globules with the same reactions present themselves, together with in- 

 numerable very small granules in the white contents of the thoracic 

 duct and in the chyle. Mutter's Archiv., 1839. In Dr. Forbes' Medi- 

 cal Review, Oct. 1841. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



June 22wd, 1842. Professor Lindley, President, in the Chair. 



A PAPER was read by Dr. ARTHUR FARRE " On the minute structure of 

 certain substances expelled from the Human Intestine, having the or- 

 dinary appearance of shreds of false membrane, but consisting entirely 

 of confervoid filaments probably belonging to the genus Oscillatoria." 

 The author stated that these substances had been passed by a patient, 

 a middle-aged female, who had suffered lately slight indisposition, but 

 in whose symptoms there was nothing remarkable except that for 

 twelve hours before the passage of these shreds considerable pain and 



