162 
B. F. KING. 
these vessels minutely, he did not state definitely their physi¬ 
ological relations, but he has since published a memoir in 
which he has described them as true lymphatic vessels, anala- 
gous to the lymphatics which partly surround the small ves¬ 
sels in fishes,*reptiles, etc. In these animals the lymphatics 
in many parts nearly surround the blood vessels, to the walls 
of which the edges of their proper coat are adherent, and 
that portion of the wall of the blood vessels which is thus en¬ 
closed forms at the same time the walls of the lymphatics. 
This disposition of the lymphatics of the brain and spinal 
cord, as found by Robins, would allow of free interchange by 
endosmosis of the liquid portions of the blood and lymph. 
The lymphatic glands are arranged in groups in different 
parts of the body, are oval in form and of a pinkish color, and 
vary in size, ranging from that of a pea to that of a walnut. 
Each gland is covered by a capsule, which by numerous pro¬ 
longations forms a reticular framework. In the interior of 
the gland, as the lymphatic vessel enters it, the external 
coating becomes continuous with the capsule. They then 
divide into numerous minute branches, which after a 
twisting and winding course unite into two or more ves¬ 
sels, which, in leaving the gland, become again enveloped 
in their outer coat. In the interior of the glands the vessels 
are surrounded by granular cells and a plexus of capillary 
blood vessel. The lacteals derive their name from the milky 
appearance of the fluid which they convey. They are the mesen¬ 
teric absorbents, and are supported between its layers. They 
take their origin from the small intestines, absorb the chyle 
which has been produced by digestion, and after passing 
through two or three absorbent glands, empty their contents 
into the receptacle. Chyle, as it is now known, is the fatty 
portions of food reduced to a very fine emulsion, and that 
these are the only principles that are taken up in large quan¬ 
tities, the facts which I have already quoted from these 
scientists are enough to establish. 
If the abdomen of a living animal be opened during full 
digestion, then, and then only, will the lacteals and the tho¬ 
racic duct be found distended with this fatty emulsion. These 
