348 
PROFESSOR POUCHET. 
The globulet, which after its appearance in the serum is 
distinctly elongated, enlarges in all directions ; its substance, 
which at first perhaps appeared finely granular, becomes per- 
fectly hyaline and refractive. It passes into the state of an oval 
elongated hsematid, the long diameter of which is larger 
than the diameter of the discoidal hsematids which have a 
slightly pronounced and thickened margin. The normal 
discoidal hsematid thus represents a more advanced stage in 
the development of the cell, and is, in fact, its adult condi- 
tion. To this succeeds a period of degeneration, during which 
the hsematid becomes irregularly spherical and darker in 
colour, before disappearing altogether. 
Origin of Glohulets , — How do the globulets originate? 
Are they, as M. Hayem wished to show, an endogenous pro- 
duct of certain cells which are at present unknown ? Or, 
on the contrary, must we recognise in these elements direct 
products, organic concretions, of a special kind originating 
in the blood plasma itself? As a matter of fact their mor- 
phological characters, which are well known, do not allow 
of their being looked upon as amorphous deposits of albu- 
minous matter. They have evidently a definite structure, and 
on this account are entitled to be called anatomical elements 
as well as the crystals of otoconia ” or the laminated fibres 
of connective tissue, if it is to be admitted that these latter 
form independently of the body of the cells which form the 
fibres. 
The globulet exhibits the peculiarity common to it 
and to many cells of fixing or forming haemoglobin. 
The gradual accumulation of the latter explains the growth 
of the corpuscle. The proportion and character of the 
haemoglobin regulates the form of the corpuscle which 
at first is oval and afterwards discoidal. When there is a 
large amount of haemoglobin present further growth stops. 
Thus the amount of haemoglobin determines the limit of 
growth. This limit is, on the other hand, in direct relation 
with the minimum diameter of the vessels through which 
the haematid has to pass. I am well aware that if the evolu- 
tion of the haematids is such as I have indicated, it goes 
against certain well-known facts of general anatomy. This, 
however, is not always a sufficient reason for rejecting a 
theory, which if it be true, would be, on the contrary, an 
explanation of what has been for a long time misunderstood. 
According to my hypothesis, the hsematids of adult mam- 
mals would not be cells, would not even be derived from cells. 
I may here remark that haemoglobin should be regarded 
as a product of a cellular organism and not as an integral 
