SUMMARYA method of preparing smeared sections for microspectrophotometric analysis is described. This system is then used to compare the DNA-content: nuclear-area parameters previously elaborated (BRYANT 1973), but within the histological continuum. In general, the apparent nuclear DNA content of a histologically heterogeneous nuclear population shows the same increase with nuclear size as that shown by more homogeneous populations. However, a possible difference appears as a discontinuity in the smoothness of the curve, suggesting that more than one decondensation sequence exists, or that decondensation is initiated from more than one starting point. The possible correlates with the work of others which may bear on this fact are discussed.