Researches upon the venom of the rattlesnake : with an investigation of the anatomy and physiology of the organs concerned . les very strikingly, in section, the appearanceof a small testicle. Its color is usually of a pearly or gray-white within, exceptunder certain pathological conditions, when it is full of blood, and presents exter-nally a darkly-mottled look. The intimate structure of the poison gland resembles very closely that of thetypical salivary glands. From the open space at the base of the gland, a numberof ducts run up into its substance, and dividing, pass towards the periphery.
Researches upon the venom of the rattlesnake : with an investigation of the anatomy and physiology of the organs concerned . les very strikingly, in section, the appearanceof a small testicle. Its color is usually of a pearly or gray-white within, exceptunder certain pathological conditions, when it is full of blood, and presents exter-nally a darkly-mottled look. The intimate structure of the poison gland resembles very closely that of thetypical salivary glands. From the open space at the base of the gland, a numberof ducts run up into its substance, and dividing, pass towards the periphery. Thedirection of these ducts is, for the most part, backwards and upwards. Owing tothe strength of the fibrous bands which traverse the gland, and to the extreme OF THE VENOM OF THE RATTLESNAKE. 13 softness of the intermediate tissue, I have found great difficulty in tracing thesmaller ducts, Fig. 7, h. Soubeiran^ describes them in the Viper, as terminating inminute pouches of amorphous matter. Rymer Jones (article Reptilia, Cyclopediaof Anatomy and Physiology) also speaks of the ducts dividing, to form smaller Fig. Microscopical Stkuctuee of the Venom Gland.—a, secernent oceca; 6, small ducts tubes, on which are finally developed secernent coeca. Fig. 7, a, like those of theordinary salivary glands. In perfectly fresh specimens, these coeca can sometimes bemade out. They are lined with pale tessellated and nucleated rounded epithelia,and are commonly filled with amorphous and granular matter. Fig. 7, a. Theepithelia in question are very easily altered, and in glands kept for a few hours insummer, are scarcely to be recognized. The smaller ducts are lined with a paleand narrow columnar epithelial cell, Fig. 7, h. The cavity at the base of the gland,as well as the main duct which connects with the fang, are lined with large pave-ment-epithelial cells, which possess distinct nuclei. Fig. 8, a. This form of epitheliais not usually encountered in this position, in homologous
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, bookidresearch, booksubjectvenom
