BLOOD. 190 BLOOD-CLAM. or oval nucleus with considerable cell-body ; transitional forms, in which the nuclei are ir- regular in shape; polynuclear leucocytes, in which there are several nuclei, and eosinophile leucocytes, which have in their cell-bodies large granules ^hieh stain bright red with eosin. The amoeboid movement of the white cells enables them to change their shape and to accomplish some locomotion. In this way they pass through the walls of the capillaries into the tissues, where tlicv are known as wandering cells. (See Con- nective TissiiE.) The blood-platelets are small, non-nucleated, round or oval bodies, about one- third the diameter of a red blood-corpuscle. They are found usually in groups and are prone to dis- integration. Their function is unknown, but there is reason for believing that they are con- cerned in the process of coagulation when it oc- curs. Embryologically the white blood-cells are derived, like the red cells, from the mesoblast. In the adult, new white cells are derived by re- production. This reproduction seems to occur largely in the lymphatic organs, especially the spleen. The Pl.sma. The fluid portion of the blood, called the plasma, consists of water containing calcium salts, the chlorides of sodium and potassium, phosphates, albumen, and other pro- teid substances, as well as fatty and extractive substances. If blood escapes from the body, coagulation or clotting occurs; after standing a while, the blood separates into a contracting semi-solid mass, the clot, and a thin red fluid, the serum. The clot is composed of the red blood- corpuscles matted together with fibrin (q.v.). The process of clotting is accelerated by cold. In the body, clotting of the blood may occur in the blood-vessels, in case of an obstruction to the blood-stream or infection by bacteria ; or it may occur in the neighboring tissues where a blood- vessel is ruptured. After death the blood re- mains fluid in the capillaries, but clots in the veins. Clots are sometimes found in the cavities of the heart. Certain diseases cause alterations in the blood. In a condition called hcetnophilia the blood clots with difficulty, if at all (see Bleeding) ; and persons possessing this pecu- liarity are liable to bleed to death from a small wound, as that left by drawing a tooth. This peculiarity is called the hemorrhagic diathesis, and it is found oftenest among Germans. The color of the blood is due to the haemoglo- bin (q.v.) of the red blood-corpuscles, which is the carrier of oxygen from the lungs to the dif- ferent tissues. (See Respib.^tion. ) Consult Cabot, Clinical Examination of the Blood (4th ed., New York, 1901). BLOOD, CoBKUPTioN OF. See Attainder; FORFKITUEE. BLOOD, Eating of. As among other peoples of antiquity, so among the Hebrews the blood of animals was regarded as the seat and source of life, and hence the blood was forbidden as food. All animal food being originally of a sacrificial character, the prohibition against the eating of the blood, carried back by tradition to the days of Noah (Gen. ix. 4). is thus sho^vn to be con- nected with sacrificial observances. See Sacri- fice. BLOOD, Thomas (1618-80). A bold and suc- cessful adventurer, commonly known as 'Colonel Blood.' He was the son of a prosperous black- smith, and was probably born in Ireland, but the place of his birth is uncertain. In the great Irish rebellion he served with the Parliamentary Army. He visited England, married a Lanca- shire lady, was made a justice of the peace by Henry Cromwell, and received large assignments of land in Ireland. He was deprived of these at the Restoration, and in a spirit of reprisal asso- ciated himself with several disbanded Cromwell- ians who were ripe for mischief. He put himself at the head of an insurrectionary plot, which was to begin with the seizure of Dublin Castle, and of Ormond, the Lord Lieutenant. On its dis- covery he escaped, while his cliief accomplices were seized and executed, although he made a bold attempt to rescue them. He remained in hiding, but eventually lied to Holland, where he was received with high consideration. He soon found his way back to England, to try what miseliief might be brewed among the Fifth-Mon- archy men. Finding no prospects of success, he repaired to .Scotland, invited by the turbu- lent state of afl^airs, and was present at the fight of Pentland, November 27, 1666. On the night of December 6, 1670, the Duke of Orraond was seized in his coach in Saint .James's Street by a gang of bravoes. tied on Iiorsebaek be- hind one of them, and hurried away toward Tyburn. The timely approach of his attendants at the moment when lie had succeeded in strug- gling with liis riding companion to the ground probably saved him from hanging. The leader in this daring villainy was Blood, and so well had he contrived it that he did not even incur suspicion. His next enterprise was still more wild and dangerous. On May 9, 1671, disguised as a clergyman, and accompanied by liis former accomplices, he entered the Tower with the de- termination to carry off the regalia of England. After almost murdering the keeper of the jew- els, he succeeded in carrying off the crown im- dcr his cloak, while one of his associates bore away the orb. They were immediately pursued, however, seized, and committed to the Tower jail. But a singular turn of fortune awaited Blood. At the suggestion of Buckingham, who was accused of having hired Blood to att.ick the Duke of Or- mond. King Charles visited the dauntless mis- creant in prison, and. dreading the threat that thei-e were liundreds of Blood's associates banded together by oath to avenge the death of any of the fraternity, pardoned him, took him to Court, restored to him his Irish estates, valued at £500 a year, and raised him so high in favor that for several years Colonel Blood was an intiuential medium of royal patronage. After the fall of the 'Cabal' ministry. Blood became hostile to Buckingham, and, accused of originating a scan- dalous charge against him, was committed to prison. He was bailed out and died in his own house in 1680. Scott introduces Blood in Pev- eril of the Peak. Consult Seecombe, Lives of Twelve Bad Men (New York, 1896). BLOODBIRD. The name in southern Aus- tralia of several wax-billed finches and other small liirds marked with bright red, especially the 'soldier-bird' (Myzomela sangtiinolenta) , a beautiful species of honey-eater, black, with the head, neck, breast, and back of the male rich scarlet. BLOOD-CLAM. See Abk-Shell.
