313 
remarked that their probable function was threefold, in some 
cases to supply a large amount of blood to parts, in others to 
avoid injury from compression of the vessels, and, in many 
instances, to check the sudden pressure on nerve centres. In 
considering the bilateral, after stating that it was found only 
in Cetacea, he proceeded to give not only Breschet’s view of its 
function as a diverticulum for the storing up of oxygenated 
blood to be supplied to the circulation during the suspension of 
respiration, but also the more commonly accepted theory that 
it is a diverticulum protective against over pressure of blood in 
the circulation. He inclined to believe that its function em- 
braced both theories. After noticing some deductions derived 
from the peculiarities in the origin, size, and relations of the 
constituent vessels of the rete, he concluded with a tabular 
view of the vessels of the thoracic rete, and of the divisions he 
had proposed for the arrangement of the various forms of retia 
mirabilia. 
The PRESIDENT, in inviting remarks, enquired what became 
of the outgoing currents of blood from the rete mirabile, as to 
how it was distributed. 
Dr Foster spoke in praise of the paper, and regretted that 
the specimen was not in a more favourable state for examina- 
tion; he doubted whether the vasa could be used as reservoirs 
for oxygen, for the blood at the temperature of the body would 
speedily oxidate itself with its own oxygen. 
Mr Trotrer did not quite see the force of Mr Foster's 
objection, for this process was the function of the oxygen. 
Dr WILSON said the blood returned by the same way as it 
came. He thought that the storing oxygenated blood was not 
the sole function of the rete; there must, in his opinion, be 
some other function, for the seal did not present a rete. What 
this function was could not yet be settled. 
New Fellow elected: C. Taytor, M.A., St John’s College. 
24 
