92 THE CONNECTIVE TISSUES, BY A. ROLLETT. 



As regards the growth of connective and tendinous tissue, the 

 breadth of the fibrils in the foetus amounts, according to Hart- 

 ing* to 0-0010 0-0014 millimeters, and in the adult to 0*0007 

 O'OOIT millimeters. As the fibres, therefore, do not increase in 

 thickness, their numbers must augment. The amorphous con- 

 nective tissue between the fasciculi of the tendons becomes 

 larger in quantity. The tendinous fasciculi increase, not only 

 in number, but in thickness. In reference to the latter fact, 

 Obersteiner*!" has shown that the points from which the new 

 formation proceeds are partly situated between the old fasciculi 

 and the investing connective tissue, and partly in the investing 

 connective tissue itself. 



Observations have been made by Sertoli,J showing that the 

 development of the reticulum and of the adenoid substance of 

 the lymphatic glands proceeds from embryonic connective 

 tissue, composed of a mass of uniform cells. 



As regards the Ligamentum pectinatum iridis, the trabecular 

 tissue in embryoes of five months old may be distinctly seen 

 to consist of branched flattened cells, the substance of which 

 is homogeneous and condensed, whilst in these trabeculse 

 remains are still visible of nuclei that at a later period be- 

 come atrophied. 



In regard to the genesis of the elastic fibres, very various 

 views have at different times been expressed. Their origin 

 from nuclei, which Henle long ago believed he had perceived, 

 has been by Henle himself rendered doubtful. It has also 

 been proved that they do not develop from cells in the mode 

 described by Donders.|| The opinion is now generally held 

 that there is an actual deposit in the form of fibres.H 



It is remarkable that the fibres, after their deposition, in- 

 crease in thickness. 



* Recherches Micrometriques sur le developpement des Tissus, etc., 1845, 

 p. 53. 



t Loc. cit. 



\ Wiener Akademie, SitzungsbericMe, Band liv., p. 149. 



Canstatt's Jahresbericht fur 1851, p. 22, Band i. 



|| Zeitschrift fur wissenschaftliche Zoologie, Band iii. 



^ Henle, loc cit. Reichert, Miiller's Archiv, 1852, p. 94. H. Miiller, 

 Wiirzburger Verhandlungen, Band x., p. 132 ; Bau der Molen, 1847, p. Ixii. 



