204 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



7. The spleen also is confined to its place by 

 an adhesion to the peritonaeum and diaphragm, 

 and by a connexion with the omentum.* It is 

 possible, in my opinion, that the spleen may be 

 merely a stuffing, a soft cushion to fill up a vacan- 

 cy or hollow, which, unless occupied, would leave 

 the package loose and unsteady : for, supposing 

 that it answers no other purpose than this, it must 

 be vascular, and admit of a circulation through it, 

 in order to be kept alive, or be a part of a living 

 body.^^ 



8. The omentum, epiploon, or cawl, is an apron 

 tucked up, or doubling upon itself, at its lowest 

 part. The upper edge is tied to the bottom of 

 the stomach, to the spleen, as hath already been 

 observ ed, and to part of the duodenum. The re- 

 flected edge also, after forming the doubling, 

 comes up behind the front flap, and is tied to the 

 colon and adjoining viscera.f 



9. The septa of the brain probably prevent one 

 part of the organ from pressing with too great a 

 weight upon another part. The processes of the 

 dura mater divide the cavity of the skull, like so 



''^Our author has not failed to fall into the snare which lies in 

 the path of the adventurous theorist. We have here a new theory 

 of Ihe spleen. The spleen in truth has a double office : it is ever 

 found attached to the digesting part of the intestinal canal ; and is 

 reasonably considered to afford occasional increase of circulation 

 to the stomach, and to supply blood to the liver of that quahty 

 which appears necessary to a copious secretion of bile. 



* Ches. Anat p. 167. flbid. 



