2 22 GUYER. [Vol. II. 



the follicle was disappearing or forming could not be deter- 

 mined. In Fig. 9 the nuclei are somewhat shrunken and 

 consist principally of a granular mass. The sphere substance, 

 which, as was above mentioned, seemed always in some way 

 connected with the formation or disappearance of the separat- 

 ing membrane, lies between the nuclei and is broken up into 

 granular clumps. In Fig. lo, an ^g^ with three nuclei, the 

 sphere seems to be perfectly normal. Two of the nuclei lie in 

 contact and seem to have recently divided. The third lies 

 apart and contains only a few feathery strands of material, 

 which seems to be breaking up and disappearing. 



In some of the larger ova, as in Fig. 4, where vacuoles have 

 appeared, or where cytoplasm is being devoured by the trans- 

 formed follicle cells, the process is probably one of fusion 

 preparatory to disintegration. It is not improbable that in 

 some instances the two cells were a product of the same 

 division, and after lying side by side and passing through 

 a period of growth, they again fused into one mass as 

 degeneration set in. 



Regarding the cause of such abnormalities as have been 

 described, but little can be said. Whether the abnormal struc- 

 ture of the ovary is due to the derangement of other organs 

 of the body, or whether the accompanying bodily peculiarities 

 are caused by the unnatural ovary, cannot be definitely deter- 

 mined. One would, however, without evidence to the contrary, 

 naturally incline towards the latter view. The far-reaching 

 effect of a change in the reproductive organs, especially in case of 

 injury or removal, is well known to all. Yet it is not impossible 

 that some stimulus from outside the ovary, perhaps of a chemical 

 nature, could act upon it secondarily and produce the modifica- 

 tions described. The blood would provide a ready means for 

 the conveyance of any chemical substance that might be formed 

 elsewhere in the body. Cases are not unknown where division 

 of the unfertilized ovum has been brought about by means of 

 chemical stimulus. Interesting suggestions arise, too, that these 

 phenomena might in some way be connected with hybridiza- 

 tion, and, indeed, certain facts have come to light recently in 

 my study of hybrid material, which render this idea by no 



