262 



Journal of Applied Microscopy. 



cells (/') had nuclei loaded with chromatic material, many of them showing kaiy- 

 okinetic figures of active division. On the inner surface of the tube were sper- 

 matoblasts and spermatozoa in all stages of development. 



In the retained organ a widely different condition was evident ; the tubules 

 were smaller, not more than one-half to two-thirds the size of those in the right 

 testis ; the cells showed no gradual decrease in size from the periphery to the 

 center (Fig. 2), but were practically the same size throughout, except for occa- 

 sional very large ones (Fig. 2, c), which stained deeply with eosin. The spaces 

 between the cells were filled with a loose mucoid material. The great bulk of 

 the organ was formed of medium-sized cells, with clear nucleus and cytoplasm 



oi -- 



6- 



Pt 



^ 



a.. Parittcil Cell's 



a. 





that were comparable with the parietal cells of the active gland except for the 

 granules in the cytoplasm (Figs. 1 and 2, <'7). The second kind of cells, far fewer 

 in number, were much larger, with a small and indistinct nucleus and large 

 amount of granular cytoplasm (Fig. 2, r). These cells were variously placed, 

 some in the outer layers of the tubules, some in the mass of the cells, and some 

 in what lumen there was to the tubes, for this- part was greatly reduced and filled 

 with loose tissue. The deep red stain that the large cells took distinguished 

 them very readily from the rest, which showed more of the hematoxylin color. 

 In shape and structure they suggested undeveloped or abortive ora, and on com- 

 parison with a section of ovary the similarity was striking, the chief difference 

 being that the cells in the testis were smaller, had smaller nuclei and presented a 

 degenerating appearance common to all the cells of the organ. There was no evi- 

 dence of function in the gland, although the right testis was beyond doubt in an 

 active condition. 



In attempting an explanation of these facts, we toucli the corner of one of the 

 battlefields of science — the influence of environment on development. In embry- 

 onic growth the germ cells long remain comparatively undifferentiated ; there is 

 a certain anatomical position in the body that corresponds with certain stages of 

 histological differentiation of the reproductive organs. In this case arrest occurred 

 in an early anatomical position. Did histological differentiation cease soon after, 



