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These are almost all continuous, and terminate at the periosteum their common centre. They have been divided into two sections. 1. Enveloping aponeuroses, Aponeuroses of insertion, Fibrous capsules of the joints and Fibrous sheath of tendons. 2. The Periosteum, Dura mater, Sclerotica, Tunica albuginea testis, Fibrous membranes are not free or moistened by any particular fluid. They adhere by noth surfaces to the neighbouring parts; are firm, resisting, but slightly elastic, and of a white colour; sometimes pearly and glistening. Their vessels are numerous, in some, as in the dura mater and periosteum; in others, scarcely perceptible, as in the aponeuroses. The presence of nerves has never been proved, although several circumstances, regarding their sensibility, render their existence probable. The fibrous membranes serve, in general, to augment the solidity of the organs which they envelop; to retain the muscles in their respective positions; to favour the motion of the limbs, and that of the muscles and skin; to form canals and rings for the passage of different organs, &c. Bichat admits three species of Compount Membranes. 1. The Sero-fibrous, formed of a serous and fibrous lamina, intimately adherent to each other; - as the pericardium, dura mater, and tunica albugines. 2. The Sero-mucous, formed of a serous and mucous lamina; - as the gall-bladder at its lower part. 3. The Fibro-mucous, constituted of the union of a fibrous and mucous membrane; as the mucous membrane of the nasal fossae, gums, &c. Chaussier admits six kinds of membranes. 1. The laminated. See Cellular Tissue. 2. The serous or simple villous. 3. The follicular or complicated villous. 4. The muscular or fleshy. 5. The albugineous. 6. The albuminous.