Animal Morphology. 93 



and nearer approach, both in colour and chemical com- 

 pounds, to pure blood. 



The chemico-vital function is the true function peculiar to 

 mucous membranes, but in the complicated structure of 

 these glands an outline of membrane is almost impossible ; 

 it rather appears to be a heterogeneous mixture of dis- 

 connected tissue, bound by fibrous and connective tissues ; 

 but in their function these glands partake of a decided 

 chemico-vital rather than mechanical function, and are, 

 therefore, viewed as transposed and differentiated mucous 

 membrane, the outward fibrous membrane being the true 

 basement membrane of lymphatic mucous membrane, and 

 the glands but more active cell-destructive and chemico- 

 vital organizers of the same membrane.* 



The next membrane for consideration is the Ganglionic 

 membrane. 



This, then, introduces us to the most questionable and 

 difficult of all we have as yet encountered, the more so on 

 account of the peculiar notions of the writer, who is any- 

 thing but orthodox, from a general physiological point of 

 view, as to the real function of the sympathetic nerves. 



Apart from morphology, or membranous differentiation, 

 the special function of the sympathetic system has been 

 viewed simply as a collector and distributor of electricity. 



From whatever point it is viewed, its end is to produce 

 harmony of action in the organic functions. Hence its in- 

 direct name of sympathy; and its grand plan of accom- 

 plishing that end is by economising waste electricity, and 



* Some physiologists understand by basement membrane its active 

 epithelial coating, or, in other words, its secretive or excretive function 

 in the form of active and defined cell development ; but when base- 

 ment membrane is here used, it is a term to signify the sub-tissue of 

 a more or less purely fibrous structure, over which is laid the super- 

 structure of active cell development, often partially glandular, and 

 always of a special cell differentiation. 



