On the part played by amoeboid cells in the process 

 of intestinal absorption') 



E. A Schäfer. F. R. S. 



ProfeBsor of Physiology and Histplogy in University College, London. 



(With pl. X) 



I have for many years tauglit that tlie amoeboid cells which 

 occur in large numbers in tlie mucous membrane of tbe intestinal 

 tract are to be looked upon as active agents in promoting the ab- 

 sorption of fat. But although I had previously taught this in my 

 lectures the opinion was for the first time published in the eiglith 

 edition of Quain's Anatomy. In this edition, which appeared early 

 in 1876, there occurs the following paragraph (vol. II, p. 363): — 

 "According to onr own observations, the amoeboid lymph-corpuscles 

 contained in the meshes of the retiform tissue, and which also extend 

 amongst the cokimnar epithelium cells of the surface, become filled 

 with fat globules during digestion; and we think it probable that 

 these cells may serve as carriers of fatty matters into the lacteal, 

 just as the white blood corpuscles are known to convey minute solid 

 particles out of the blood vessels and into the lymphatics." 



The methods of demonstrating the facts upon which this opinion 

 is founded were fuUy described in a small book on Practical Histology 



The observations recorded in this article were originally published iu a lecture 

 delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons of England on June 9th, 1884. 



