in the Anatomy of a Whale. 31 
the other lacteals : but should these cavities be obstructed, 
from disease, or other causes, an increased determination of 
fluids into the communicating absorbents must happen, which 
would overcome the resistance produced by their mutual in- 
osculations, and the contents of the vessels would be driven 
forwards towards the trunk of the system. In the whale, as 
in other animals, we find that the impediment, occasioned by 
this communication of lacteals, is greatest in the first glands 
at which they arrive after having left the intestines. 
The ready termination of so many arteries in the mesenteric 
glands of the whale, makes it appear probable, that there is a 
copious secretion of fluids mixed with the absorbed chyle ; and, 
as I have before observed, a slimy bloody-coloured fluid was 
found in them. As the orifices of the veins were open, it ap- 
pears probable that the contents of the bags might pass in 
some degree into those vessels. 
The eminent anatomists. Albinus, Meckel, Hewson, and 
Wrisberg, were of opinion, that the lymphatic glands were 
not cellular, but were composed of convoluted absorbing ves- 
sels. This notion seems, however, to have been gradually de- 
clining. 
Mr. Cruikshank has of late publicly maintained a contrary 
opinion ; and has shewn, that the cells of these glands have 
transverse communications with each other; which it is not 
likely they would have, if they were only the sections of con- 
voluted vessels. Some additional observations have occurred 
to me, confirming this opinion, and which, as I believe they 
have not been publicly noticed by others, I beg leave to relate 
to this Society. I have injected the lymphatic glands of the 
groin and axilla of horses, with wax, and afterwards destroyed 
