BY F. P. SANDES. 383 



is similar in each case, and can be described as affecting, firstl}^ 

 tlie contents of the follicles; secondly, the membrana granulosa; 

 thirdly, the basal membrane; and fourthly, the theca folliculi. 



The determination of the place where the atrophic changes 

 begin is difficult. In Dasyurus the membrana granulosa is first 

 affected. It will be seen that some of its nuclei stain deeply, and 

 others only faintl}^ In these latter, chromatolysis takes place in 

 the nuclei of those cells nearest the cavity of the follicle, the 

 nuclear membrane disappears, and the chromatin becomes broken 

 up into fine particles which are scattered through the general 

 debris or aggregated into masses which stain deeply. Some of 

 these deeply stained masses have been observed protruding from 

 the cell nucleus, and in many cases seem to be nucleoli. In some 

 cases also the formation of karyokinetic figures takes place in the 

 nuclei of the cells of the degenerating membrana granulosa. This 

 process has been fully described by Flemming and others, and is 

 met with in atrophic follicles of many animals besides Dasyurus. 

 Whilst this has being going on, the cell cytoplasm has undergone 

 degenerative changes. In many animals a definite fatty degenera- 

 tion has been described as taking place, but in Dasyurus this is 

 not observed. The degeneration of cell substance appears to be 

 a process of simple atrophy. It goes on until the membrana 

 granulosa is reduced to a zone of cells inside the theca, often one 

 or even two or three cells in thickness (see fig. 18). 



The discus proligerus surrounding the ovum is not affected 

 until comparatively late. Chromatolysis sets in, the cells atrophy 

 in the usual way, and the envelope of the ovum crumples up, and 

 is partially or totally destro37-ed, whilst its nucleus undergoes 

 chromatolysis, and its cytoplasm loses its yolk granules and 

 degenerates. By these processes the contents of the follicle come 

 to be represented by a granular material which represents the 

 liquor folliculi, together with debris of membrana granulosa cells 

 and of the ovum. Through this granular material are scattered 

 darkly stained granules, representing portions of the original 

 chromatin of the various nuclei. Occasionally, too, cells are 

 found, situated in a clear space in this granular content of the 



