276 THE TISSUES. 



parent fibres are united by a clear connecting gelatinous substance 

 (homogeneous substance), and fasciculi are thus formed, averaging 

 s^W to 24Vo f an mc h i n diameter. These bundles somewhat 

 resemble the striated muscular fibres, but have no actual striae, or 

 external investments at all comparable to the rnyolemma, and are 

 smaller. They are arranged, like long, wavy cords, so as to form 

 large lamellae and bundles (as in ligaments); or they coalesce, like 

 the elastic tissue, into networks and meshes. In rare cases the 

 bundles appear to be homogeneous, and not composed of fibres, as 

 in the perineurium (Remak's fibres). In some cases, indeed, neither 

 bundles nor fibres can be made out ; and this has been called homo- 

 geneous (or Reichert's) connective tissue. This may be regarded as 

 either white fibrous or areolar tissue, in an undeveloped state. 



Todd and Bowman and, since, Reichert and Dr. Paulsen main- 

 tain that the fibrillation of this tissue is merely apparent; it being 

 really, in its normal state, a homogeneous mass, marked by longi- 

 tudinal parallel streaks, having at times a tendency to split up "ad 

 infinitum" and splitting into membranes rather than fibrous frag- 

 ments. Though we agree with the writers just quoted, the fibril- 

 lated appearance justifies the name we still prefer for this tissue ; 

 and it at once occurs that if no minute fibres exist, like those de- 

 scribed by Kolliker, then the bundles, so called, become fibres of 

 larger dimensions. For every histological purpose, therefore, the 

 term white fibrous tissue is to be preferred. 



No nerves or lymphatic vessels are supplied to this tissue. The 

 manner in which vessels are distributed to parts composed of it, 

 will be shown further on (Fig. 176). 



Chemical Composition of White Fibrous Tissue. 

 This tissue is about 63 per cent, water, and, like bone and the 

 teeth, affords gelatine to boiling water. It has hence been termed 

 one of the gelatinous tissues. That the gelatine does not, however, 

 pre-exist in these three tissues, but is formed by decomposition of 

 another substance, has already been shown (p. 98). The substance 

 thus converted into gelatine is called osteine, and is the same in 

 bone, teeth, and white fibrous tissue. The apparent fibres, before 

 mentioned, swell up and assume a viscid, hyaline appearance in 

 alkalies, and cannot be again brought into view by the addition of 

 water. The same result follows if a solution of caustic potash of 



