THE PLACKNTATION OF PK RAMBLES. 431 



comparatively smooth and flat ; but in a certain section on the 

 ant-mesometrial side of the uterus it is markedly folded and 

 very irregular in contour, owing to the presence of irregula.r 

 projections of the uterine epithelium. This folded area no 

 doubt represents the former allantoic placental area. The 

 projecting portions of the uterine epithelium just mentioned 

 are apparently eventually shed off into the uterine lumen, for 

 the lumen at this stage contains a detritus consisting of 

 maternal red blood-corpuscles, together with cellular elements 

 evidently derived from these irregular projections. The pre- 

 sence of these projections is readily intelligible when one 

 remembers how irregular was the surface of the allantoic 

 placental syncytium. 



Genital Organs. — In this stage the lumen of the common 

 uterine canal is still continuous with the median pseudo- 

 vaginal passage. This latter, about its mid region, measures 

 •7 mm. in long and '12 mm. in short diameter. It now appears 

 lined by a very delicate layer of connective-tissue endothelium, 

 outside which the tissue is very compact and vascular, but the 

 extravasated blood present in it in the preceding stage has now 

 disappeared. In its middle portion the passage contains an 

 irregular detritus consisting of red blood-corpuscles and 

 cellular elements. 



Anteriorly, just behind the point of opening of the common 

 uterine canal into the passage, portions of allantoic stalks are 

 found still persistent in a degenerate condition, but with the 

 positions of the allantoic vascular trunks still recognisable. 

 The stalks are three in number,^ — a larger one measuring in 

 diameter "4 mm. by 3* mm., and two smaller ones with a 

 diameter of "2 mm. each. In the region where the remains of 

 the allantoic stalks are found, the lumen of the passage is 

 almost completely obliterated, since the stalks are not only 

 closely surrounded externally by a loose layer derived from 

 the surrounding connective tissue, but are separated from 



' The genital organs reached me with only two young. It may be that the 

 larger and more degenerate stalk here described has persisted from a previous 

 parturition. 



VOL. 40, PART 3. — NEW SKR. G G 



