BlenkinS; on an Early Human Ovum. 
9 
tainly is not the case in this instance. The coccyx is large^ 
turned forwards^ and a little to the left side. 
I would say a few words respecting the villi of the chorion 
at this period. Formerly much contrariety of opinion pre- 
vailed regarding these processes^ some considering that they 
contained vessels^ while others were of opinion that the villi 
themselves were vessels. This question has been since fully 
decided by the researches of Carus^ Velpeau, Wagner, 
Bischoff, and others. In all animals and in man they are 
developed long prior to the vessels which afterwards pass into 
them from the embryo. I have carefully examined several 
of these little tufts, selecting the largest and most fully 
formed from the neighbourhood of the chorion, where the 
allantois joins it, and which is afterwards to become the seat 
of the placenta, but have failed to discover the trace of a 
vessel. One of these villous tufts I have mounted for your 
inspection (fig. 2), and it will be seen that they are hollow 
canals, their walls being composed of granular cells, and 
having numerous pouch-like projections from them, or rudi- 
mentary villi; one of the primary divisions of this tuft is 
partially broken across, and you will notice distinctly that it 
is empty. 
In conclusion, I fear I must apologise to the non-profes- 
sional portion of my audience for the introduction of such dry 
details, on a subject which they cannot be expected to be very 
familiar with, and to some of whom they may appear alto- 
gether unintelligible ; but as we medical members of the 
Society have been remarked as not performing our share in 
its business, and as I personally feel the imputation to be a 
just one, I have ventured to lay before you these few remarks, 
which the examination of this ovum has afforded me the 
opportunity of making, in order to show that I am desirous 
of contributing my mite whenever I have the means of 
doing so. 
c 
