69 



ishing in number, they at length unite in a single vein just 

 opposite the pastern joint. 



The veins of the frog after ramifying over the body of the 

 frog ascend on the inside of the cartilages into the substance 

 of the heel. Diminishing in number, but increasing in size, 

 they become a single vein, which, joining that from the laminae, 

 together from the plantar vein, which, with the veins that form 

 it, are alike on both sides of the foot. The vein takes its 

 course upward by the anterior side of the plantar artery, but 

 rather more superficially situated, and is joined by a vein called 

 the perpendicular, and by some minor branches, and towards 

 its termination by some larger ones from the fetlock joint." — 

 Spooner. 



THE LYMPHATICS OF THE FOOT. 



The lymphatic vessels are said, by Percival, to be so minute 

 as to bear no sort of comparison with the veins in point of 

 magnitude. 



They are vastly more numerous and have much more fre- 

 quent anastomsis than the veins. 



They are peculiarly tortuous in their course, and are every- 

 where beset with valves. I have questioned in vain every 

 authority I possess whether the lymphatics, like the veins of 

 the foot, are not an exception to the rule as regards the exis- 

 tence of valves in that organ ? Judging from analogy, I should 

 deem it probable that they are. This however, for the present, 

 must remain a moot question. 



Their natural divisions are into Superficial and Deep-seated. 



The superficial absorbents or lymphatics are distributed in 

 great numbers immediately beneath the skin, and penetrate it 

 at every point, which enables them to absorb moisture from 

 external sources, and to convey it into the interior of the sys- 

 tem. The deep-seated absorbents or lymphatics are found 

 ramifying upon the interior tissues, in company with the veins. 

 They are in direct communication with the superficial lymph- 

 atics. Their office is to take up, and carry off, in a fluid con- 



