O tfification of the ‘Thoracic DuSi. 331 
and it was accordingly examined very circumftantially 
by Dr. hunter, Mr. watson, Mr. j. hunter, and Mr. 
cruiks hanks, who honoured me with a vifit for that 
purpofe. 
The appearances which thefe gentlemen particularly 
noticed were, that the du<ft was completely filled up, ex- 
cepting at the lower bulbous part, commonly called the 
receptaculum chyli, where, indeed, there was room 
enough for air to pafs between the coat of the duct and 
the adventitious fubftance within it ; fo that the recepta- 
cle, which before appeared flat, upon throwing in air 
became rounded and fully diftended : but this air was to- 
tally confined to the receptacle, and could not be forced 
up the dudt in the fmalleft degree. The receptacle was 
then flit open, and an attempt made to pafs a brittle up 
the dudt, but this was found impoffible. 
Mr. cruiks hanks afterwards endeavoured to force 
mercury up the du6t, but not the fmalleft particle would 
pafs. 
From thefe different examinations we were all tho- 
roughly convinced, that the receptaculum chyli was not 
fo completely filled up but that it might receive a fmall 
quantity of fluid, yet the du£t itfelf was totally imper- 
vious, without a poflibility of admitting any. 
Vol. LXX. Y y 
The 
