AXATOiltCAL STEUCTUKE OF THE SHEEP. 95- 



formed material controlling the shape and framework of the 

 body. Connective tissue is divided into three classes, 1 fibronr^, 

 2 cartilaginous, 3 bone. 



Muscular tissue is composed of a collection of cells with 

 their formed material, having the function of contraction. Of 

 muscular tissue we have two varieties, namely, the voluntary 

 and the involuntary. The voluntary muscular tissue is that 

 which is under the control of the will, such as the muscle tissue 

 of the legs, neck, tail, etc. Involuntary muscle tissue is that 

 which is not under the control of the will of the animal, for 

 instance, the muscle structure of the heart, stomach, etc. Fat 

 is formed in the animal body by the degeneration of the cells 

 themselves. Adipose, or fatty tissue, is formed by the aggrega- 

 tion of masses of degenerated cells held together by the formed 

 material of those cells. 



Xervous tissue is composed of a collection of cells, endowed 

 with the function of irritability. To support the various tissues 

 and afford shape and support for them, we find the class of con- 

 nective tissue called bone, being arranged to form a framework, 

 or skeleton, to which all the various tissiies are attached. In 

 the sheep we find that the skeleton is composed of nearly two 

 hundred separate bones of various sizes and shapes. The bones 

 in order to permit movement, one over the other, are joined 

 together by strong bands called ligaments, the motion of the 

 limbs, head, and neck and other parts of the body being effected 

 by the contraction of the various muscle structures, which are 

 connected to the bones. The insertion of the muscle to the 

 bone being by means of a tough fibrous structure, intimately con- 

 nected with the muscle substance, and called the tendon. 



jMuscles as a rule have two separate points of attachment, 

 which are generally bones, the contraction of the muscles brings 

 these points nearer together, so effecting motion. 



