258 ELEMENTS OF HISTOLOGY, [chap, xxxti. 



or longer transparent spindle-shaped cells, each with an 

 'oval nucleus. These bundles of spindle-shaped cells 

 form, by crossing and interlacing, a tolerably dense 

 tissue, in which lie embedded in special arrangements 

 the Graafian follicles. Around the larger examples of 

 the latter the spindle-shaped cells form more or less 

 concentric layers. In the human ovary bundles of 

 fibrous tissue are also met with. 



The spindle-shaped cells are most probably a 

 young state of connective tissue. 



Between these bundles of spindle-shaped cells 

 occur cylindrical or irregular streaks or groups of 

 polyhedral cells, each with a spherical nucleus ; they 

 correspond to the intei'stitial epithelial cells men- 

 tioned in the testis, and they are also derived from 

 the foetal Wolffian body. 



344. According to the distribution of the Graafian 

 follicles, the following layers can be distinguished in 

 the ovary : 



(a) The albuginea. This is the most peripheral 

 layer not containing any Graafian follicles. It is 

 composed of the bundles of spindle-shaped cells, inti- 

 mately interwoven. In man, an outer and inner 

 longitudinal, and a middle circular, layer can be made 

 out (Henle). In some mammals an outer longitudinal, 

 an inner circular, or slightly oblique layer can be 

 distinguished in the albuginea. 



The free surface of the albuginea is covered with 

 a single layer of polyhedral, or short columnar granu- 

 lar-looking epithelial cells, the germinal epithelium 

 (Waldeyer). This epithelium, in its shape and aspect, 

 forms a marked contrast to the transparent, flattened, 

 endothelial plates covering the ligamentum latum. 



345. (b) The cortical layer (Schron). This is a 

 layer containing the smallest Graafian follicles, either 

 aggregated as a more or less continuous layer (cat and 

 rabbit), or in small groups (human), separated by the 



