BLOOD. 121 



quence of the continvaous supply of cliylc which is afforded to the 

 blood, the lymph-corpuscles Avouhl speedily predoniinate, uuless 

 they underwent some metamorphosis, and assumed another form ; 

 but in reality the number of lymph-corpuscles in the blood is 

 comparatively small. Although the lymphatic glands may be 

 regarded as in some degree the seat of formation of the blood- 

 corpuscles, it must by no means be supposed that the latter issue 

 from these glands in a perfectly developed state ; their ultimate 

 maturity is obtained in the blood, and they aid in the support 

 of its independent vitality. Henle, who likewise coincides in 

 the view just given^ as I know from a personal communication 

 with him, has minutely studied the formation of the blood- 

 corpuscle from the honph-corpuscle, and the transitions of 

 the latter to a state of maturity. He regards the hnuphatic 

 glands as the chief, although not the exclusive seat of 

 formation of the blood-corpuscles. Although the chyle 

 does not contain a sufficient number of matured blood-cor- 

 puscles to allow us to recognize their presence by its external 

 appearance, we must remember that diuing its continuous dis- 

 charge into the subclavian vein, a considerable number of 

 blood-corpuscles may in a certain time be conveyed into the 

 blood : that the blood-corpuscles which are contained in the 

 chyle are formed in the organs of chjdification, and are not 

 conveyed thither by arteries or veins, is clear from oui' knowledge 

 of the connexions between the vascular and capillary systems. 

 It is pretty generally allowed that the process of respiration 

 is essentially requisite for the further development of the 

 young blood-corpuscles, after their formation in the lymphatic 

 glands. J. Miiller, in his chapter on the formation of the 

 blood, expresses himself to the eff"ect that the contents of the 

 lymphatics, nam^ely the clear lymph and the whitish chyle, are 

 the materials for the foi'mation of the blood, and that this 

 formation is carried on not in any one particular organ, but 

 under the combined influence of the vital functions generally. 

 This view corresponds with the former, if in the materials for 

 the formation of the blood we understand the young blood- 

 corpuscles, (i. e. the lymph- and chyle-corpuscles which are to 

 be changed into blood-corpuscles,) and the plasma, which is 

 still almost destitute of fibrin. If, however, the lymph- and 

 chyle-corpuscles are regarded as having no connexion with the 



