124 THE PHYSIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 



plasmic processes may lc seen passing from the cells of this layer 

 and projecting into radiating canals in the zona which encloses the 

 ovum, U-iiio; in contact with the vitelline membrane. 



Immediately after copulation, and therefore during oestrus, the 



KM;. 37. Human ovum examined fresh in the liquor folliculi. (Krom Waldeyer.) 

 The ovum shows yolk granules in the i-cntiv surrounding the nucleus (with 

 its nucleolus) and a ek-aier jM-riphi-i-al portion. It is enclosed by follicular 

 epithelial cells. 



cells of the discus proligenta (in the ral'l>it)' begin to withdraw 

 radially, and eventually remain attached to the zona radiata by the 

 extremely thin strands just referred to. At the same time the 

 ovum itself withdraws somewhat from the xona, leaving a narrow 

 circular space. These processes occupy some hours. About nine 



1 In the raM>it th'-sc processes depend mi coition. ^H'-ape. " ' H illation and 

 ..ration of Ova in the Rabbit," /'/<-. A'-.//. >',., I;., vol. Ixxvi., 1905.) 



