DATA FROM OTHER CASES 
53 
symptoms, vomiting occurred. On the menstrual discharge failing to 
appear, she committed suicide on the 1st October by swallowing caustic 
potash. No definite data as to coitus could be obtained. Although this 
ovum is considerably more advanced in development than our ovum, it 
can scarcely be regarded as more than 15 days old, in view of the 
facts relating to Merttens 5 ovum, and the very great advance which 
occivrs in the succeeding 7 days. Peters reckoned the age as 3 to 4 days, 
but this is obviously a great understatement. Estimated age, 13| to 14| 
days. 
II.—Ovum of Jung. 
This ovum, measuring 2'5 x 2*2 x 1 mm. in diameter, was obtained 
by curetting on account of leucorrhoea with retroflexion and prolapse of 
the uterus, from a multipara aged 28. Menstruation was irregular, occur¬ 
ring at intervals of from 5-6 weeks, and the last completed period 
began 4| weeks prior to the operation. The last coitus occurred 4 days 
before the operation. The specimen is extremely well preserved, showing 
numerous mitotic figures. It was fixed while still warm in 70% alcohol. 
It presents a very close resemblance to that of Peters, but there are 
more definite villi. The case has not yet been published in full detail. 
This ovum probably comes next in point of age among other known ova 
to that of Peters, with the possible exception of Graf v. Spee’s ovum of 
1905. Estimated age, 14^-15| days. 
III.—Ovum of Merttens. 
Dimensions—external, 4x3 mm. ; internal, 3x2 mm. It was found 
in curettings sent for examination to Langhans’ laboratory under suspicion 
of malignant disease—the presence of an ovum not being suspected. Only 
a few sections were mounted, 4 of which contained an ovum. The four 
sections were of practically the same dimensions, and were therefore 
regarded as representing the greatest diameter of the blastocyst. From 
the general characters of the ovum, it is distinctly, but not greatly, 
older than that of Peters. The villi, which averaged '364 mm. in length, 
are somewhat thick columns of trophoblast with short mesoblastic cores 
