123 



anomalies in the tints, the theory of oscillations stands relieved of 

 every difficulty, and may be received as adequate to the representa- 

 tion of all the phenomena of the polarized rings, and entitled to rank 

 with the fits of easy transmission and reflection as a general and sim- 

 ple physical law. 



A Case of the Human Foetus found in the Ovarium, of the Size it 

 usually acquires at the End of the Fourth Month. By A. B. Gran- 

 ville, M.D. F.R.S. In a Letter addressed to Sir Everard Home, 

 Bart. V.P.R.S. Read January 13, 1820. [Phil. Trans. 1820, 

 p. 101.] 



The body, of which the dissection is described in this paper, ex- 

 hibited a considerable tumour, placed immediately above the region 

 of the pubis. Upon opening the abdomen, a quantity of fluid re- 

 sembling blood was found in its cavity, and a tumour, four times the 

 size of a hen's egg, obstructed the view of the internal parts of gene- 

 ration, resting upon the left portion of the anterior surface of the 

 uterus ; a blood-vessel, which proved to be a branch of the left sper- 

 matic artery, and of the size of a large crow-quill, penetrated the 

 dense portion of this tumour, and a smaller vessel communicated with 

 the spermatic vein. The inferior portion of the tumour presented 

 diaphanous membranes, through which was seen a foetus of about 

 four months' growth. 



The fact of an extra-uterine conception being thus made out, the 

 author proceeded to examine the connection of the tumour with the 

 neighbouring parts, and the condition of the uterus ; whence it ap- 

 pears that the tumour was seated in the left ovarium, which had burst 

 in three places, so as to suffer the membranous sac containing the 

 foetus to protrude into the cavity of the abdomen ; and that by the 

 growth of the foetus that part of the covering of the ovarium was 

 ultimately lacerated, which involved the placenta by which the ad- 

 hesions of the latter were torn, producing the sudden and fatal 

 haemorrhage which killed the patient and filled the abdomen with 

 blood. 



The uterus had acquired considerable development during the pe- 

 riod of oyario-gestation ; the right ovary was healthy, as also its 

 Fallopian tube. The left Fallopian tube was sound and loose, and 

 its fimbriated extremity had no connexion with the neighbouring 

 tumour. 



Many other circumstances relating to the history of this case, and 

 to the anatomical structure exhibited by the disputed parts, are con- 

 tained in an explanation of Mr. Bauer's drawings, which illustrate 

 and accompany the paper. 



