314 STUDIES ON PATHOLOGIC OVA. 



process is merely one of degeneration. Another example of what we may call pseu- 

 do-phagocytosis is that represented by the isolated erythroblasts rarely seen in the 

 stroma of a villus. In some instances two or three cells, whose boundaries for the 

 most part still are clearly outlined, can be seen to have partly fused, forming a 

 so-called giant cell. All transition forms and stages can be found, and were it 

 not for this fact, the resultant large multinucleated fusion product, if seen to join 

 with an isolated trophoblast cell, might be regarded as being phagocytic. Other 

 instances of a similar nature were discussed briefly elsewhere (Meyer, 1918), and 

 I am inclined to believe that the non-vital character of this kind of cell formation, 

 which occurs under conditions of cell degeneration, needs further emphasis. It 

 certainly would seem to be a non- vital rather than a vital phenomenon. It is 

 indicative of degeneration and death rather than of regeneration and life. 



Cells which are morphologically identical with certain stages in the degenera- 

 tion of the Hofbauer cell can also be found in entirely different locations than 

 those mentioned, as in the Graafian follicle, for example. In some of these, germinal 

 epithelial cells which have become detached and displaced in the liquor folliculi 

 become swollen and transparent and the nucleus takes an eccentric position. In 

 all details of structure and ordinary staining reactions, as shown by hematoxylin 

 and eosin, by iron hematoxylin, by van Gieson, and by Mallory, these cells are 

 identical with phases in the typical Hofbauer cells, as illustrated in figure 241. 

 This, however, does not justify us in designating them as such, unless we wish to 

 extend the use of this name to degenerating and disintegrating forms of cells of 

 very many different types and origins. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



FIGS. 235-237. Transition forms between mesenchyme and Hofbauer cells. No. 645, slide 3; No. 592, slide 1; 



No. 645, slide 3b. X330. 



FIQ. 238. A phagocytic pseudo-Hofbauer cell. No. 645, slide 2. X650. 



FIGS. 239-240. Fusing Hofbauer cells forming a giant cell. No. 645, slide 2. No. 985, slide 1. X300. 

 FIG. 241. Pseudo-Hofbauer cells in the ovary. No. 970. X650. 



