the syncytial appendages of the placental villi. 427 
becomes elongated. Then a peduncle is formed, attaching the 
syncytial mass to its original site, and this peduncle may become 
astonishingly long. Three of these stages are represented in 
Fig. 1 (a, b, c .) 
It is a matter for speculation, whether or no the syncytium 
at the extremity of the peduncle ever separates off and continues 
to exist as a detached giant-cell. So far as my observations go, 
they have not revealed evidence of the transformation of the 
syncytial mass into fibrinous striae, and I do not think that the 
points mentioned above as to the sequence of changes in the form 
of the syncytial appendages are clearly stated or emphasized in 
the ordinary descriptions of these structures. Systematic ex- 
amination of placentae has now been commenced on the lines 
indicated, and this, I hope, will throw some light on the important 
problem of the later stages in the history of the syncytial masses. 
In the accompanying illustrations (drawn with the camera lucida) 
I have represented some of the typical appearances at different 
stages in the growth of syncytial masses in a placenta from a 
pregnancy of about 6 months. In villi from foetal membranes 
at about the ninth week, I find the syncytial buds less con- 
spicuous, but they are present, and some have already acquired 
an attenuated peduncle. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE XIV. 
Figs. 2 — 7 incl. Various phases in the evolution of the pedun- 
culated form of syncytial bud. The nuclei of the syncytia are stained 
more darkly than those of the other superficial cells covering the villi, 
and in Fig. 6 the darker nuclei are collected in the spherical bud, while 
the stalk attaching the latter to the apex of the villus is occupied by 
the nuclei of the ordinary villous ectoderm. [Cam. luc. Leitz. Obj. 
Zeiss D. Oc. 2.] 
