CONNECTIVE TISSUE. 4! 



for a few days in a one-per-cent solution of osmic acid, 

 washed and teased apart on a slide and mounted in 

 glycerin. 



Elastic Fibres from the Ligamentum Nuchcz. A small 

 fragment of this structure conveniently obtained from 

 the ox is preserved in strong alcohol. A tiny bit is 

 teased thoroughly and mounted in glycerin. It will be 

 seen to consist of a dense network of broad, closely 

 anastomozing elastic fibres which curl over at the free 

 ends. 



a. CELLS. 



Cells in the Subcutaneous Connective Tissue. The fixed 

 connective-tissue cells, which occur in this form of 

 tissue, may be studied in any mammal. They vary 

 somewhat in size, shape, and number in different ani- 

 mals, but those in the rabbit are sufficiently typical. In 

 the study of these cells, whose bodies are, for the most 

 part, so thin -and transparent as to be almost invisible 

 when fresh, and very liable to shrink and become dis- 

 torted by contact with the usual hardening agents, we 

 have to fulfil two important indications in our technical 

 procedure ; we must treat the tissue with some agent 

 which will render the cells visible, and, at the same time, 

 not greatly alter the form of the delicate cell-body. 



A bit of subcutaneous tissue is removed, placed upon 

 a slide, rapidly spread out in a thin layer and allowed to 

 dry. If this procedure is done rapidly the cells are 

 dried on the slide in nearly a natural form before they 

 have a chance to contract. A few drops of a solution 

 of fuchsin (one part of a saturated alcoholic solution of 

 fuchsin to forty parts of water) are placed on the speci- 



