FUNCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPLEEN. 587 

 Fig. 414. 



The connection of a Malpighian corpuscle with the neighboring vessels. It is placed at the angle 

 of bifurcation of one of the small arteries ; its external surface being covered by a close and delicate 

 capillary plexus, while its circumference is invested by a mesh of large veins, radiating from its 

 margin in all directions. The capillary plexus of the pulp is also shown. (Gray.) 



Function of the Spleen. 



Mr. Gray maintains that the spleen regulates both the quantity 

 and the quality of the blood ; it being a diverticulum of the hepatic 

 circulation, while, at the same time, the Malpighian corpuscles, more 

 especially, elaborate albuminous substances from the blood soon after 

 digestion, store them up for the time being, and again return them 

 to the blood when needed. Though these statements may need 

 some qualification, a comparison of the blood in the splenic veins 

 (p. 175) with that in its artery confirms the idea that the spleen is 

 a blood-making organ, except so far as the colored corpuscles are 

 concerned these being actually disintegrated in it. 



Development of the Spleen. 



The spleen is developed, independently of the surrounding or- 

 gans, at the end of the second month, from a blastema. The Mal- 

 pighian bodies are last formed, and are much smaller at birth than 

 afterwards. 



