PLASMA CELLS OF HOFBAUER 347 
have partly fused, forming a so-called giant-cell. All transi- 
tion 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,’18), 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 degeneration of the Hofbauer cell can also be found in 
entirely different locations than those mentioned. Such in- 
stances occur in the Graafian follicle. 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 reaction, 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. This, however, does not justify us in designating them 
as such, unless we wish to extend the use of this name to degen- 
erating and disintegrating forms of cells of very many different 
types and origins. 
