[ 5 »* 3 
found their Courfe to be as follows: All round the 
Neck of the Bone there are a great Number of 
Arteries and Veins, which ramify into fmaller 
Branches, and communicate with one another by 
frequent Anaftomofes , like thofc of the Mefcntcry. 
This might be called the Cir cuius Articuh Vafcu- 
lofuSy the vafcular Border of the joint. The final! 
Branches divide into Bill fmaller ones upon the 
adjoining Surface, in their Progrcfs towards the 
Centre of the Cartilage. We are very feldom able 
to trace them into its Subftance, becaufe they ter- 
minate abruptly at the Edge of the Cartilage, like 
the Veflels on the Albuginea Oculi when they come 
to the Cornea. The larger Veflels, which compofe 
the vafcular Circle, plunge in by a great Number of 
fmall Holes, and difperfe themfelves into Branches 
between the Cartilage and Bone. From thefe again 
there arifes a Crop of fmall fhort Twigs, that fhoot 
towards the outer Surface 5 and whether they ferye 
for nourilhing only, or if they pour out a dewy 
Fluid, I fhall not pretend to determine. However 
that be, I cannot help obferving, that the Diflribu- 
tion of the Blood-veflels to the articulating Cartilages 
is very peculiar, and feems calculated for obviating 
great Inconveniences. Had they run on the outer 
Surface, the Preffure and Motion of the Two Carti- 
lages muft infallibly have occalioned frequent Ob- 
ftru&ions. Inflammations, ire. which would foon 
have rendered our Motions painful, and at laft intirely 
deprived us of them. But by creeping round the 
cartilaginous Brim, where there is little Fri&ion, or 
under the Cartilage, where there is none, they are 
perfeftly well defended from fuch Accidents. 
It 
