A systematic survey of pre-2Oth century literature on hema togenous metastasis has been presented under five broad headings, namely, liberation, transportation, deposition, estab lishment, and growth. The writings of the old masters deserve more recognition than is usually accorded to them today. It is hoped, therefore, that this review will provide not only a groundwork of references in but also a stimulus for better appreciation of the historical foundations of cancer metastasis.