598 OF REPRODUCTION. 



their outer adhering loosely as a transparent pellicular layer; the inner layer presents 

 itself as a thick, opaque, deeply-wrinkled or corrugated, and rocky cyst, or is sometimes 

 partially diaphanous, and of a shining pearly aspect, and very white colour ; and it some- 

 times contains a yellow, greenish, transparent fluid, or a clot of blood, either unchanged, 

 or converted into a yellow or black pigment. This second variety appears to be the 

 Corpus Luteum of Baer. These white bodies, or Corpora Albida, were found by Dr. R. 

 in every variety of uterine condition, subsequent to the establishment of menstruation, 

 but never before it; and the dense kind, especially, were persistent for a long period. 

 They had no necessary connection with the gravid condition; but they were occasionally 

 (especially the dense variety) the only specialty observable in the ovaries of the puerperal 

 female, some time after delivery. 



III. The third class was characterized by the presence of an organized, yellow-coloured, 

 brain-like, granular matter; forming bodies to which Dr. R. has given the name of Cor- 

 pora Cephaluidea. These differed, according as the cerebriform matter was deposited 

 between the layers of ruptured Follicles, having transparent pellicular walls, as in Class 

 I., or having either their inner or outer coat thickened, as in Class II. ; or according as 

 the cerebriform matter was deposited externally to the two inner layers of the Follicle. 

 The former of those varieties was found by Dr. Ritchie in menstruating females; also 

 during the first months of the gravid state; and sometimes even in the period of lacta- 

 tion. In some instances only one or two of the cerebriform bodies were found, but some- 

 times five or six. Their structure, especially in the more perfectly-organized specimens, 

 presented a striking resemblance to the convoluted reddish-yellow surface of the brain, 

 covered by its inner membranes, and painted with its scarlet-coloured and dark vessels. 

 These cephaloid bodies undergo diminution in proportion to their age, and the absorbing 

 power of the female. In those possessed of only thin coats, or having the outer layer as 

 the seat of the thickening, the inner walls of the cysts speedily contracted and coalesced; 

 so that their centres exhibited a delicate opaque streak: or, in those better developed, a 

 serrated, curved, and well-marked white line, according as the cyst was of elliptical or of 

 a globular form. This variety of cerebriform cyst was met with in a recent state indif- 

 ferently in immediate connection with the existence of menstruation, and during the first 

 seven months of pregnancy ; and in this latter case, by undergoing a conversion in its 

 form presently to be noticed (IV.),-they constituted the Corpora Lutea of Dr. Montgomery. 

 In the second variety of Cephaloid bodies, the two inner layers of the Graafian Follicle 

 were converted into a dense white body, surrounded by an envelop of yellow matter. 

 Such cysts (the Corpora Lutea of Dr. Lee) were never observed as an effect of menstrua- 

 tion simply, but were met with exclusively in the gravid female; although they were seen 

 (as were also the cephaloid bodies of the preceding order), presenting double in some 

 cases of single conception. This form of Cephaloid bodies was generally distinguished 

 by large, persistent, white, glistening cavities. The granular cephaloid matter was some- 

 times found quite absorbed within a few days after parturition; but in other instances it 

 underwent the metamorphosis characteristic of the next class. 



IV. The fourth general state of the ruptured Graafian follicle was peculiar to the im- 

 pregnated and lactating female, in the period between the eighth and thirteenth months 

 after conception; and appeared to be a conversion of the Corpora Cephaloidea already 

 described, arising out of a higher and more perfect organization. Down to the seventh 

 month of pregnancy, the cysts contained in the Ovaries did not differ in any respect from 

 the cerebriform bodies found in the unimpregnated state; except that they were some- 

 times plumper, more vascular, better developed, and had their inner layer more frequently 

 thickened. A change in the hue of the granular matter then commences, which becomes 

 more decided as time elapses; so that by the end of the first month after delivery, it be- 

 comes of a decided rose colour, changing to a still more florid hue on exposure to air. 

 Its cavity also contracts, so as to leave but a stellated point, or a curved groove: and a 

 fibrous appearance (probably dependent on the traction thus exercised), is seen in ihe 

 surrounding substance. Although these bodies, termed by Dr. Ritchie Corpora min/,are 

 found exclusively in the later months of pregnancy, or in the puerperal state, yet they 

 are not always present in those conditions. 



The number of cases examined by Dr. Ritchie is not, perhaps, sufficient to 

 enable us to found any positive statements upon the results of his examination 

 of them; but the following inductions appear highly probable. 1. That the 

 presence of Corpora Rubra may be regarded as indicative, not only of con- 

 ception, but also of an advanced stage of pregnancy, or of recent delivery ; 

 but that their absence is not to be regarded as any proof to the contrary. 

 2. That the presence of Corpora Cephaloidea of the second order is to be 



