Connective Substances. By T. E. Satferthwaite. 249 
continuous connection between the processes of the corpuscles, as he 
observed in cartilage, and is commonly seen in bone, could only be 
substantiated in a few instances. We have noted that, both in the 
cornea and in the mucous tissue of the umbilical cord and reticular 
tissue, there is such a connection to be sometimes seen, but at other 
times it is not seen at all, and this is the more difficult to under- 
stand, if the theory of a constant connection between these processes 
is tenable, for the method of preparing the cornea (tearing off the 
lamella) appears to give us a view of the corpuscles, or some of 
them at least in their proper connections, and the gold method 
defines them clearly. As we have seen, they are, how^ever, only 
occasionally united. In the older forms of tissue, as in tendons, 
there was no such connection noted ; indeed, in most of the tissues 
enumerated, the corpuscles with their delicate sheaths appear to be 
quite separate from one another. 
In fat-tissue it seems, as we have already stated, that the deli- 
cate envelope takes up the oil, at first in minute globules, which by 
their union form larger ones and so finally completely fill up the sac. 
The flattened corpuscle, or " nucleus," that belongs to the tissue is 
unchanged, however, but takes its position in the side of the sac. 
The second form of corpuscle that is frequently met with in all 
situations in the tissue is the round corpuscle already mentioned, 
and known as the lymphoid cell or corpuscle. It has often a pale, 
fleecy investment about it, which does not colour with hgematoxylin, 
or Hoffmann's violet, or only slightly. Very similar bodies are often 
seen in close connection with the plate-like corpuscles, from which 
it often appears as if they originated from the latter. The third 
corpuscle similar to the one mentioned by Waldeyer and by Klein 
is also sometimes seen. It is large, about four or five times the size 
of a lymphoid corpuscle, and pretty globular in shape, and contains 
coarsely refracting bodies. These appear to be minute oil-drops, 
but whether these are the result of physiological or pathological 
change is uncertain. The adult intercellular tissue is made up of 
bundles of indefinite length. As for the bundles, each one is made 
up of separate fibrils which do not anastomose but run a parallel 
course. The fibrillar connective tissue, adenoid tissue, neuroglia 
and tendon tissue have this character clearly, while in the other 
forms it is not so certain that this is the case. The fibrils are held 
together by a firm cementing substance which can be dissolved by 
loDg immersion in Mtiller's fluid, or for a few days in a 10 per cent, 
watery solution of common salt. 
3. We can now study the relations of these parts to one 
another. It may be stated as a fact that is indisputable, that in 
all the adult tissues, excepting, perhaps, the supporting tissue of 
the kidneys aod, of course, elastic tissue, and of the cornea, there 
are two principal substances met with, more or less flattened cor- 
