342 Tumors. 



of fibres, compactly arranged and thick, may be seen running in 

 a wavy course, usually arranged concentrically about the blood- 

 vessels and often of considerable length. Between the fibres are 

 spindle cells with spindle shaped nuclei, and occasionally elastic 

 fibres are intermingled. 



Sometimes the fibroma develops as a dift'use growth, giving 

 rise to large wooden-like thickenings of the subcutaneous tissue, 

 with radiating extensions running into the surrounding struc- 

 tures. 





v'^A ; 



\ 



\^ 



/ ' 



^l^c 



* 



*^- I aT 





s 



'^. ' ,^cV»' 



■/ 





f 



Fig. 86. 

 Hard fibroma : subcutaneous nodule, from horse. 



The soft fibroma (fibroma moUe) is characterized by its softer 

 consistence, and the greater proportion of bloodvessels and lym- 

 phatics in its construction.^ It is in consequence of a more reddish- 

 gray color, is sometimes gelatinous ; and its shape is sometimes 

 nodular or lobulated, sometimes with a villous papillary surface. 

 Under the microscope it contains in addition to the loosely ar- 

 ranged bundles of fibres numerous spindle and rounded connec- 

 tive tissue cells and wandering corpuscles, and is quite rich in 



