[ ' l6 ] 
a Glafs, it appears like the Edge of Velvet ; a Mafs 
of fhort and nearly parallel Fibres riling from the 
Bone, and terminating at the external Surface of the 
Cartilage : And the Bone itfelf is planned out into 
fmall circular Dimples, where the little Bundles of 
the cartilaginous Fibres were fixed. Thus we may 
compare the Texture of a Cartilage to the Pile of 
Velvet, its Fibres rifing up from the Bone, as the 
fiiky Threads of that rife from the woven Cloth or 
Rafis. In both Subfiances the fhort Threads fink 
and bend in Waves upon being comprefied j but, by 
the Power of Elafticity, recover their perpendicular 
Bearing, as foon as they are no longer fubjeded to 
a compcelling Force. If another Companion was 
necefiary, we might infiance the Flower of any 
corymbiferous Plant, where the Flofcali and Sta- 
mina reprefent the little Bundles of cartilaginous 
Fibres 5 and the Calyx, upon which they are planted, 
bears Analogy to the Bone. 
Now thefe perpendicular Fibres make the greatefi: 
Part of the cartilaginous Subftance 5 but without 
Doubt there are likewife tranfverfe Fibrils which con- 
ned them, and make the Whole a folid Body , though 
thefe laft are not eafily feen, becaufe being very 
tender, they are defiroyed in preparing the Car- 
tilage. 
We are told by Anatomifis, that Cartilages are 
covered with a Membrane named Perichondrium. 
If they mean the Cartilages of the Ribs, Larynx , 
Ear, &c. there, indeed, fuch a Membrane is very 
confpicuous ; but the ‘Perichondrium of the fmooth 
articulating Cartilages is fo fine, and firmly braced 
upon the Surface, that there is room to doubt whe- 
ther 
