Magister Chirurgiae Dentium (MChD) / The author is interested in the morphogenesis of the oral region including the nasopalatine complex. With the intention of undertaking a study of the· embryological development in this area, perusal of available literature failed to reveal a single compreh.ensive description of the reception and handling of embryonic and foetal material, mensuration and preparation for miscroscopy. Human material for embryological study is relatively scarce in· the Republic of South Africa. According to the literature there is, however, a distinct similarity between human and domestic pig development in certain regions, notably the palate. Furthermore, pig embryos and foetuses are available in comparative abundance from sows slaughtered at abattoirs. As a consequence of the above-mentioned factors it was,decided to undertake a -preparatory study in order to firstly evaluate existing methods of handling of embryonic and foetal material and secondly, to statistically evaluate data relating to mass and measurements.'· The aim was to draw a comparison with existing information and to select a sample for investigation. Embryos and foetuses were removed from slaughtered sows in a fresh state and removed to the laboratory immersed in 10 per cent neutral buffered formol saline. In the laboratory foetal membranes were removed, umbilical cords cut and the specimens weighed. They were then placed in Bouin's solution for final fixation and decalcification. Instruments were designed to measure crown-tailroot length, crown-rump length and dorsal profile length. After one day in Bouin's solution all specimens were measured. In order to determine the accuracy of the weighing and measuring procedures ten fixed specimens were weighed and measured on seven consecutive days. Statistical analysis of this data indicated that crown-rump length was the most accurately determinable linear measurement, judged by both the coefficient of variation and the standard deviation. On this basis crown-rump length was chosen as the criterion for selecting the sample to be studied. Correlation between linear measurements and between linear measurements and mass for the entire series showed a very strong positive relationship between all the parameters indicating that a dimensional relationship was maintained during growth. After measuring, the small specimens were embedded whole while larger embryos and foetuses were decapitated. A method was described for trimming and embedding these heads in such a way that subsequent sectioning would take place in a standardised transverse plane. In larger specimens this procedure had to be delayed until demineralization had taken place. Conclusions based on a consideration of data for the entire population included the following: 1. The mean number of specimens per litter was 6,475. 2. The number of pigs per litter stayed relatively constant throughout the period of gestation. 3. Mass showed a greater intra-litter variation than any of the three linear measurements recorded. 4. Relatively, lengths appeared to vary less in older than in younger Ldtt.ers-, irrespective of litter size