CANCER-CELLS. 



139 



the cell, are often seen in all the varieties of cancer-cells ; while 

 other cells, as the epithelial, rarely have more than one. 



B. The nuckoli are of a yellowish tinge and peculiar brightness, 

 and average T2 i?)tf of an inch in diameter. Sometimes two or three 

 are found in the same cell. For the perfect exhibition of these cha- 

 racteristics of cancer-nucleoli, it is necessary that the specimen be 

 fresh. 



M. Eobin notices the action of acetic acid upon cancer-nuclei and 

 their nucleoli as peculiar, since it renders the nucleus and cell gra- 

 dually paler, though destroying neither, while the nucleolus is en- 

 tirely unaffected by it (p. 116). 



C. Cells. Cancer-cells present a considerable diversity of form. 

 Dr. Donaldson mentions the following varieties: 



1. The polygonal or more or less spherical and ovoid cell. 



2. The caudated cell. 



3. The fusiform cell. 



4. The concentric cell. 



5. The compound or mother cell. 



6. Agglomerated nuclei connected by granular homogeneous 



substance. 



1. The polygonal cell (Fig. 79) may be regarded as the type in 

 cancer. Thus, in hard tumors the cells are found irregular, and 

 sometimes almost triangular in form. In medullary (encephaloid) 

 cancer, cells of an ovoid or spherical shape are oftenest met with. 



Fig. 79. 



Polygonal cancer-cells, g. Spherical cells, a. Dark contour of inclosed nucleus, e. The nucle- 

 olus. k. A nucleus with its contour pressed out of shape. I. A form of cell frequently seen, where 

 there is a deficiency of part of the wall. /. From pressure rendered triangular. 



