QEttBBAL CON8IDXRATION6 (Ml 



The direction followed by the lymphatics in their course is nearly 

 always somewhat rectilinear : they never sho\v the flexiiositics which are so 

 developed on the truck of certain arteries, and eveii some veins. Neither do 

 they communicate with one another hy transverse or arching anastomoses, 

 like those so commonly met with in the other two orders of canals. IK longing 

 to the circulatory apparatus. They frequently, however, in their parallel 

 course, hil'urcate and join the neighbouring vessels. (At certain situations, as 

 at sonic of the articulations, and in other parts, the larger stems suddenly 

 break-up into a close interlacing plexus of small vessels or capillaries 

 . 21)5), which in their disposition, greatly resemble the rete miniliih- of 

 the blood-vessels. This plexus is surrounded by condensed connective 

 tissue, and is penetrated by blood- vessels, though no communication takes 

 place between them and these, the only points at which communication occurs 

 Being where the great lymphatic trunks empty themselves into the vena cuv.i. 

 This rete would appear to be the first step towards the formation of a lymphfU i<- 

 gland.) 



I l"\ U A MMI'I.I. lil.Ii. Mil: VUli.i:, \ll\\l.ii FROM Till 



n, n, Afferent vessels; b, b t Efferent vessels only partially visible; from the 



popliteal space. 



I !nt of all the considerations relative to the course of these canals, the 

 most interesting are those which belong to the glandiform bodies placed 

 alon-j their track, and whose abridged history we shall give immediately. 



TKKMINATION. We have already mentioned the thoracic duct and the right 

 great lymphatic vein as being the receptacles of all the absorbent vessels of 

 1 1 ie Inxly, and we have also stated that these two trunks inter t lie general 

 venous system ; this union of the sanguine with tin- lymphatic system takes 

 place at the origin of the anterior vena cava, and this vessel may be con- 

 sidered as the general confluent for all the absorbents. The researches of 

 Mailer, Cruikshank, and Mascagni first threw light on this important tact ; 

 and it is to tho>. of Kohmann, Pani//u. I that \\e owe the dedi- 



cation of this discovery. 



