ADENOMATA, OR SOFT POLYPI, are prob ably the most frequent form of the be nign neoplasms met with in the rectum. They occur with the same relative fre quency in both of the sexes and especially between the ages of three and twelve. They vary in size from that of a small pea to that of a large chestnut, although cases are on record in which the tumor has been considerably larger. Their shape is snore or less globular or pyri form. The surface is usually lobulated and nutmeg-like. It is attached to the rectal wall by a narrow, but often elon gated, pedicle. Arterial pulsation can frequently be felt within the pedicle, as it is through this stem that the blood supply of the growth is furnished. The vessels conveying the same are often of fair size. This fact is of importance, as it may account for the excessive bl °d ing which occurs in spontaneous de ach must of such tumors.
Cooper and Edwards state that these growths closely imitate the normal mu cous membrane in structure, though their glands are larger, more abundant, more branched and convoluted, and less irreg ularly disposed. They also ascribe their greater frequency in the rectum than elsewhere to the fact that this portion of the intestinal tract is more liable to irritation.
FIBROMATA.—These tumors take their origin from the sulnnucous or connective tissue of the bowel, are more or less pe dunculated, and vary with regard to their relative firmness. Messrs. Allingham state that all of the very dense fibrous polypi that they have met with have been as large as an English walnut; that they creak when cut, and the incised sur face is of a pale color. Such growths they consider quite exceptional specimens of this form of tumor. The small polypi so frequently seen in connection with fissure and with are due to an hy pertrophy of the upper extremities of the columns of Morgagni. Unstripcd mus cular tissue is sometimes found inter mixed with the fibrous tissue of these growths, and, according to Cooper and Edwards, it may form the greater portion of the tumor. Usually these tumors are single, but occasionally they are multiple, and, in rarer instances, disseminated over quite an extensive area of the bowel. The surface of these growths is usually smooth, and they are apt to be pear shaped.