414 THE SOLIDS. 



the bile along the series of cells ; and he seems disposed to 

 regard it if not absolutely essential to this transmission, yet 

 as of very general occurrence. There can be no question, 

 however, but that, in the great majority of cases, the bile is 

 passed from cell to cell independent of any such union : 

 this is proved by the exceeding rarity of the occurrence of 

 rows of cells united in the manner described and figured by 

 Dr. Jones. 



The same accurate observer considers that the first secre- 

 tion of bile takes place in the most central cells of the lobule, 

 and that this fluid is accumulated in the greatest quantity, 

 and its elaboration perfected, in the marginal cells of the lo- 

 bule. These opinions are founded upon the following ex- 

 periments and observations: thin sections of the liver of a 

 rabbit being examined, the ductus communis choledochus of 

 which had been tied twenty-four hours before death, it was 

 manifest, in almost every instance, that accumulation of bile 

 had taken place in the centres of the lobules, as indicated by 

 a yellow zone of some width surrounding the intralobular 

 vein. Now this case, in the opinion of Dr. Jones, presents 

 the earliest effect of interruption to the flow of the secretion ; 

 and the appearance described seems to point out the exact 

 spot where the secretion had its origin, viz. in the commence- 

 ment of the rows of cells surrounding the central axis of the 

 lobule, as represented by the lobular hepatic vein : again, in 

 many livers, a remarkable difference may be observed in the 

 condition of the marginal cells and those placed more cen- 

 trally ; while the latter have appeared of their usual pale or 

 light yellow colour, and have contained but one or two minute 

 oil globules, the former have presented a darker and more 

 opaque appearance, arising from the presence of numerous oil 

 globules. 



These observations, especially when considered in connec- 

 tion with the mode of termination of the bile ducts, render it 

 almost certain that the secreting process reaches its termina- 

 tion near the margin of the lobule. 



Dr. Jones recognises an active and a passive condition of 

 the lobules of the liver, and thus describes the differences in 



