ORGANIZATION 



233 



mucous membrane, etc. It varies in character, being 

 soft, tender, and elastic, or dense, tough, and generally 

 unyielding. In the former state, it consists of innu- 

 merable fine white and yellow fibers, which interlace 

 in all directions, leaving irregular spaces, and forming a 

 loose, spongy, moist web. In the latter the fibers are 

 condensed into sheets or parallel cords, having a wavy, 

 glistening appearance. Such structures are the fasciae 

 and tendons. Connective tissue is not very sensitive. 

 It contains gelatin the matter which tans when hide 

 is made into leather. In this tissue the intercellular 



substances take the 



form of fibers. The 



white fibers are ine- 



lastic, and from 



to f an 



diameter. 



FIG. 202. -Hyaline Car- 

 tilage, Diagram : a, car- 



tilage cell; t>, ceil about dons. 



to divide; c, cell divided _. , 



into two; d, into four fibers are elastic, very 



They are 



^ Q ten . 



The yellow 



long, and from $ 



to "V of an inch 



highly magnified. in diameter, and 

 branched. Connec- 

 tive tissue appears areolar, i.e., shows 

 interspaces, only under the microscope. 



(3) Cartilaginous Tissue. This tissue, FIG. 203. Longitudinal 



. . section through area of 



known also as " gristle, is composed ossification from long 

 of cells embedded in a granular or bone of human embryo. 

 hyaline substance, which is dense, elastic, bluish white, 

 and translucent. It is found where strength, elasticity, 

 and insensibility are wanted, as at the joints. It also 

 takes the place of the long bones in the embryo. When 

 cartilage is mixed with connective tissue, as in the ear, 

 it is called fibre-cartilage. 



