(seq. 45)

19 Lect. 2

together is greater than that of the Trunk, & therefore
there is a constant Enlargement upon every Ramefication. The
space between the Branches was thought by the Antients to
grow smaller from the Heart constantly, but from Observation it is
found, that in many places the Difference is exceeding small;
nay D^r. Hunter says, it has appeared to him to increase in size; but
M^r John Hunter with Malphigi, thinks they grow rather smaller; but it
is very inconsiderable at any Place, where we can make the Observa-
tion ^{this being very difficult} by reason of the frequent Branchings, the Carotid is the only one
in the human Body, where such an Observation can be ^easily made.
Branches go off chiefly in an Acute Angle, tho' some go off nearly
at right Angles, the latter are near the Heart; the former towards
the Extremities; & in general, as they branch nearest to the Heart;
the more they approach to an obtuse Angle, & the greater this Dis-
tance from the Heart, the more acute is the Ramification - We
have not quite an ^{a perfect} Instance of an Artery's being reflected, so as to
form an obtuse Angle by its Branches; the Epigastric has ^been said to
be such a reflected Branch; but if we examine it, we shall find, that
it goes off in less than a right i. e. acute Angle, & is gradually
reflected, to as to run, directly, in a Course, backwards to that of its
Trunk - The Branches from Anastosmoses are frequently at
right Angles, i.e. where they open into one another, which they
often do & form a kind of a Network - Branches of Arteries
are different ^appearance from those of , in ^that they unite again, [?]