SEXUAL PASSION ACT OF COITION. 887 



never wanting in the semen of animals capable of procreation ; but are 

 absent, or imperfectly developed, in the semen of hybrids, which are nearly 

 or cut i rely sterile. Moreover, it may be considered as certain that the abso- 

 lute contact of the spermatozoa with the ovum is requisite for its fecunda- 

 tion ; whilst, on the other hand, if the spermatozoa be carefully removed 

 from the liquor seminis by filtration, the latter is entirely destitute of fertil- 

 izing power. 1 Hence the presence of the Liquor Seminis must be considered 

 as merely incidental ; and as answering some secondary purpose, either in 

 the development or in the conveyance of the Spermatozoa. Heule 2 observes 

 that whilst the Spermatozoa retain their vitality even in extreme old age, 

 they are frequently absent in the seminal fluid of those suffering from dis- 



734. The power of procreation does not usually exist in the Human Male 

 before the age of from 14 to 16 years; and it may be considered probable 

 that no Spermatozoa are produced until that period, although a fluid is 

 secreted by the testes. At this epoch, which is ordinarily designated as that 

 of Puberty, a considerable change takes place in the bodily constitution; the 

 sexual organs undergo a much increased development ; various parts of the 

 surface, especially the chin and the pubis, become covered with hair; the 

 larynx enlarges, and the voice becomes lower in pitch, as well as rougher 

 and more powerful ; and new feelings and desires are awakened in the mind. 

 Instances, however, are by no means rare, in which these changes occur at a 

 much earlier period ; the full development of the generative organs, with 

 manifestations of the sexual passion, having been observed in children but a 

 few years old. The procreative power may last, if not abused, during a 

 very prolonged period. Undoubted instances of virility at the age of more 

 than 100 years are on record ; but in these cases, the general bodily vigor 

 was preserved in a very remarkable degree. The ordinary rule seems to be, 

 that sexual power is not retained by the male to any considerable amount, 

 after the age of 60 or 65 years. 



735. To the use of the sexual organs for the continuance of his race, Man 

 is prompted by a powerful instinctive desire ( 556), which he shares with 

 the lower animals. This Instinct, like the other propensities, is excited by 

 sensations; and these may either originate in the sexual organs themselves, 

 or may be excited through the organs of special sense. Thus in Man it is 

 most powerfully aroused by impressions conveyed through the sight or the 

 touch ; but in many other animals, the auditory and olfactory organs com- 

 municate impressions which have an equal power; and it is not improbable 

 that, in certain morbidly excited states of feeling, the same may be the case 

 in ourselves. Localized sensations have also a very powerful effect in excit- 

 ing sexual desire, as must have been within the experience of almost every 

 one ; the fact is most remarkable, however, in cases of Satyriasis, which 



1 This point was completely established by the researches of Mr. Newport (Phil. 

 Trans., 1851), who repeated and confirmed the experimental results previously ob- 

 tained by Spallanzani and by Prevost and Dumas. 



2 Anatomie des Menschen, p. 357. 



3 This observation has been supported by Mantegazza and Bozzi, who found that 

 in 88 cases of various forms of disease, on examination of the Testis, the spermatozoa 

 were deficient in both organs in 12 cases, and in one testis in 9 cases, whilst this could 

 only be referred to organic lesion of the testis in 2 cases. Gulliver, On the Semen 

 and* Seminal Tubes of^Mammals and Birds (Proc. Zool. Soc., July, 1842 ; and Edin. 

 Med. and Surg. Journ., 1843, vol. Ix. p. 158), also gives many examples of the ab- 

 sence of spermatozoa in cases of disease in Man and the lower Animals, and in birds 

 during the winter. He has found that the spermatozoa of a particular genus may 

 differ remarkably in chemical and other characters. Thus in the Fringillida; they 

 are quickly dissolved by acetic acid and other reagents, which have no action on the 

 club-shaped spermatozoa of Hirundinidui. 



