228 THE SOLIDS. 



cells might be supposed to depend upon the partial escape by 

 end osmosis of the contents of those cells, the portion remain- 

 ing in them representing a nucleus merely from the position 

 occupied by it in the centre of the cells. 



The formation of the nucleated bodies in the third case 

 would seem to point to and to require a different explana- 

 tion. Decomposing fat frequently exhibits a crystalline ar- 

 rangement : now it is conceived that the outer part of each 

 vesicle had become softened and broken down in consequence 

 of commencing decomposition or of disease preparatory to its 

 assuming the crystalline form, the central part at the same 

 time remaining unaffected. 



It will be seen that the preceding observations, in relation 

 to the presence of a nucleus in fat vesicles, are not decisive, 

 although they add weight to those of anterior observers, and 

 render it still more probable that they are really nucleated 

 cells. 



The facts adduced, however, in reference to the existence 

 of an investing membrane are quite conclusive. 



On the vesicles of decomposing human fat, it is a common 

 occurrence to meet with stelliform figures, each being com- 

 posed of a number of delicate striae radiating from a central 

 point. On the smaller vesicles but a single figure of this 

 description will usually be met with, but on the larger there 

 may be three or four. When but one is present, it usually 

 covers about a third of the surface of each vesicle. (See 

 Plate XIX. fig. 5.) 



Henle * observes of these that they might be metamor- 

 phoses of the nuclei of the cells ; " nevertheless," he says, 

 " they have niore analogy with crystalline deposits." 



The occurrence of two, three, or four of these on the same 

 cell is opposed to the idea of their connexion with the 

 nuclei ; and the observation of Mandl, who noticed their 

 formation on butter, is conclusive on this point, f 



Vogel |, as also Gerber , regard the figures in question as 

 groups of crystals of margaric acid. 



* LOG. cit. p. 423. f Anat - Mic - f - 143 - 



J Anleitung zum Gebrauche des Mickroskops, p. 289. tab. 111. fig. 2. 



Gerber's General Anatomy, translated by Gulliver. 



