88 CELLULAR MEMBRANE, [BOOK I. 



that covers the lungs and divides them into two 

 parts, so as each may act separately (see sect. 32). 

 The second species of membranes are finer, more 

 transparent, and paler than the first-mentioned, and 

 possess the quality of containing in their cavities, 

 resembling sponge, the matter deposited within 

 them by the arteries for the purpose of repairing 

 waste and adding new flesh ; these we term cellular 

 membranes, from their sponge-like texture, and 

 they are, moreover, so infinitely thin as to pervade 

 all over the solids, or fleshy parts, without being in 

 every case visible to the eye. They are neverthe- 

 less proved so to exist, from the circumstance of 

 those being greatly distended, when the subject dies 

 of being "blown," as we have shewn lower down 

 (sect. 35). Then, not only the forehand, but the 

 hinder quarter, even down to the hocks, become 

 inflated with the wind, which by reason of the 

 animal's being strangled, the lungs had no power 

 to discharge, and the cellular membrane admits it 

 into its cells, or cavities. Any one may perceive 

 this membrane and its numerous cells to advantage 

 in buttock of beef, or leg of mutton, after being 

 dressed ; upon taking a slice between the fingers 

 and straining it nearly asunder, the membrane ap- 

 pears, but more evidently at the corners where two 

 or more muscles meet ; and in summer- time, parti- 

 cularly with over-driven beasts, the membrane be- 

 tween the muscles will be found charged with a dull 

 brown sort of matter, that may be, and frequently 

 is, scraped away with the knife. Another familiar 



