REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE IX DASYURUS VIVERRINUS. 145 
after osstrns. For this period which intervenes between 
oestrus and ovulatioiv we propose the term post-oestrusd^ 
Daring this post-oestral period the changes initiated daring 
pro-oestras are continned, and are perhaps most marked in the 
ovary. The Gfraafian follicles continae to enlarge. The ova 
nndergo the first meiotic division, resalting in the separa- 
tion of the first polar body, and the spindle for the second 
division is laid down. Oar records yield instances of two 
females, both killed five days after copalation, in one of which 
the first polar spindle was established, whilst in the other, the 
first polar body was already separated and the second polar 
spindle formed. These ovarian changes calminate in the 
raptare of the follicle and the discharge of the ovam. • * 
The tamidity of the cloacal lips gradaally disappears. 
f ‘ I 
U t e r i n e C h a n g e s . f r 
Case 1 (No. 8, 23 . vii . ’02) (PI. 6, fig. ^4). — This fe4nale 
came to hand on July 11th. On the 18th the cloacal margins 
were greatly swollen, and copalation, extending over two 
hours, took place. Five days after, i.e. on the 23rd, she 
was killed, the pouch being small and only slightly tumid. 
The uteri were pale in colour and somewhat enlarged, measuring 
16'5 mm. by 12 mm. by 5*5 mm. Examination of the ovary 
revealed the presence of ripe follicles containing ova in which 
the first polar spindle was already formed. 
The mucosa has a maximum thickness of 2 *4 nnm. and the 
uterine epithelium, *0o2-’036 mm. The uterine glands have 
increased somewhat in diameter, and some of them are 
markedly enlarged, especially towards their basal ends. 
Where such enlargement has occurred the gland epithelium 
has become reduced in thickness and appears of the low 
columnar type. In a few of the glands the lumen is occupied 
by a shrunken coagulum. The gland epithelium is ciliated. 
The connective tissue differs from that of oestral Case 1 
in being much more cellular and compact. Leucoc}Tes are 
specially abundant in the superficial portion of the mucosa, 
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