THE EMBEDDING OF THE OVUM. 43 



Which, then, are the similarities and which the differences be- 

 tween mine and 'Peters' specimen ? 



First of all, it is to be noted that the mucosa elevation on the 

 sides of the ovule almost up to the fibrin cover, is still covered 

 with a surface epithelium (Fig. 3. e. Plate II). 



Close to the fibrin cover the epithelium becomes irregular, is 

 partly swollen and partly detached. In some, sections (Figs. 7 & 

 9, e,e, 'Plates IV & V) it extends like in Peters' specimen (Plate 

 I U.E.) under the fibrin cover, as a narrow band. At the^ slope 

 towards the furrow (F) it is practically absent. 



Special stress is to be laid on the fact that under the center 

 of the fibrin cover where it lies closest to the summit of the 

 ovum, no more regular surface epithelium is met with. Like- 

 wise nowhere within the ovular chamber can even a trace of 

 epithelial lining be found which connects with the surface epi- 

 thelium. 



One peculiar condition which appears only in the sections 15-19 

 (Figs. 5 & 6 Plate III) must be described. in detail. To the 

 right, below the center of the fibrin cover, a depression (e. s.) 

 is noticed which is lined by a few cuboidal cells (Fig. 5) whose 

 resemblance to epithelial cells cannot be denied. Among them, 

 however, are a few broader cell bodies with large nuclei which 

 are not unlike syncytial cells. This supposition is strengthened 

 by the fact that with high magnification one can see a few large 

 syncytial cells extending from the nearest trophoblast plugs to- 

 wards the depression e. s. (More details will be given in a later 

 description of the trophoblast, Fig. 10.) 



This funnel shaped depression is still distinctly visible in Fig. 

 6 at e. s. Here, however, it is filled with red blood cells which 

 have escaped from the ovum chamber and in their- further course 

 cannot be differentiated from the blood cells which infiltrate the 

 structureless fibrin mass. (Fi.) 



This funnel shaped depression seems worthy of special note 

 and probably deserves to be particularly considered in all fu-" 

 ture investigations. It is certainly the only visible and partly 

 preserved connection between the ovular chamber and the uter- 

 ine cavity. 



What will be its significance? It might be regarded as the 

 remains of a glandular orifice, yet much speaks against this. First 

 of all there is no gland opening anywhere within a wide area of 

 this spot, especially outside of the fibrin cover. Naturally so, 

 since the glands have been displaced by the ovum and lie more 

 meridionally. We have already shown that the glands do 

 not take any direct part in the formation of that cavity which 



