TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 167 



the tissues nearer the lymphatic eud of the chain, the cells at either end being 

 capable of forming a blood or lymphatic vessel, by the process of hollowing out so 

 often described by histologists, as the necessity of the case may demand. 



They next considered the development of lymphatic vessels in the embryo. Dr. 

 Klein, in his work already quoted, draws and describes the formation of endothe- 

 lium by vacuolation of cells — that is, cells becoming hollow and greatly enlarged, 

 and their wall subsequently becoming divided off into numerous endothelial jells. 

 He further predicts that it may subsequently be found, from the arrange ments of 

 these vacuoles in relation to each other, as seen by him in natural and induced in- 

 flammation, that they may ultimately open into each other, and thus form 13'mphatic 

 channels. This very natural prediction of his the authors have seen fulfilled — not, 

 however, in inflammatory conditions, but in the embryo itself They have observed 

 this process in its different stages, from the commencement of the formation of a 

 vacuole to the j unction of two or three fully formed vacuoles with each other and 

 with the termination of an already formed lymphatic channel. While, however, 

 they agree with his description of the process of formation of vacuoles in many cases, 

 they do not consider it to be invariably applicable. In other cases it appears 

 to consist of a cii'cular hollowing or sinking down of the basement membrane from 

 the surface endothelium, the linmg cells being formed by multiplication and com- 

 pression of the cells of the basement membrane, thus forming a pavement of cells 

 for the lymphatic sinus. This mode of development of lymphatic vessels the 

 authors do not consider as general, but applicable only to such conditions of exces- 

 sive vital stimulation as are found in the embryo and during inflammation, the 

 ordinary process of such formation being similar to the same in blood-vessels — 

 namely, a gradual enlargement of a lymphatic radicle by distention and addi- 

 tion of other cells, as the necessity for enlargement shows itself, until a com- 

 paratively large lymphatic channel is formed. 



On Protoplasm and Aclipocere. By D. J. Goodman. 



On the Preservation of the Bodies of the larger Aninuds for Dissection. 



By F. Greenwood. 



Although many suggestions have been made and methods described for the pre- 

 servation of animal carcases for dissection, yet few seem to have been carried out 

 in practice, at any rate so far as regards the larger animals. In the case of the 

 ordinary subjects of veterinary anatomy, the abundant supply renders any attempt 

 at long preservation needless, as a whole subject can well De sacrificed for the sake 

 of some special region or organ. 



But when some uncommon but bulky specimen falls into the way of an ana- 

 tomist, he must either content himself with a veiy cursory examination of the 

 general disposition of the parts, or select some special points for investigation, and 

 leave the rest. He must, besides, be prepared to devote all his time to the work, 

 or the opportunity is lost. 



The latter consideration, in the case of those who can only devote their leisure 

 or a portion of their time to such work, frequently prevents any attempt to pro- 

 secute what might be most interesting researches. Nevertheless tolerably easy 

 and simple means may be indicated by which a body can be preserved indefinitely 

 in a state tit for dissection, so that the work may be either pursued or laid aside as 

 circumstances determine. 



It has been suggested that, as we have been tolerably successful in dealing with 

 the carcase of a young elephant from last winter until now, some account of the 

 mode of procedure may be of interest to those who have a taste for such work. 



The animal was purchased by the Council of the Leeds Philosophical and 

 Literary Society, and most liberally handed over to their Curator, to be dealt with 

 as he considered best ; and it is owing to the facilities freely furnished by them 

 that the work has Ijeen continued. 



The animal, which died about the 13th of December, was received on the 16th, 



