DR. 



W. W. ELYS NOTES OX CHAPTER II. 305 



orifice, would be retracted and concealed hj the nymphte, which 

 would be nearer the external orifice. The clitoris is small, dim- 

 pled, and surrounded with a prepuce, and the nymphoe are thin, 

 composed of a membrane similar to that of the castoreum sacs, 

 their lateral portions extending downward in the direction of the 

 opening- of the oil sacs R. Wagner asserts that the nymphae 

 are wanting in the inferior mammalia, but Cuvicr says more 

 correctly: "Le fait est que les nymphes existent chez plusieurs 

 Rongeurs." Viii. 256. 



The orifice of the urethra is half an inch behind the clitoris. 

 The urethra and the vagina are each 4" long. The latter is 

 strongly muscular, and smooth within. The bladder, which lies 

 in front of, and conceals the uterus, is contracted, thick, and 

 rugose. The position of the ureters is seen in the figure. The 

 uterus is 1^" long, and its vaginal extremity is lobulated. It is 

 divided into two cavities by a firm septum, each cavity opening 

 into "the vagina by a separate orifice. The Fallopian tubes are 

 9|" long. The ovaries are small, oval, 67'" long, 32"' in width. 

 It is probable, though I cannot affirm it, that pregnancy in the 

 beaver is Fallopian, as in the rat and the rabbit. 



Castoreum. — The difference in the castoreum as furnished by 

 the European and the American beavers has long been known 

 to chemists and physicians ; the Russian castoreum being most 

 esteemed as a medicine. The fresh specimens of American cas- 

 toreum which I have seen, differ in amount, appearance, and con- 

 sistence. The following are Brando's analyses of this substance : 



CANADIAN CASTOR. 



Volatile oil 1-00 



Resin 13-85 



Castorin 0-33 



Albumen 0-05 



Osmazome 0-20 



Carbonate of lime 33-62 



Other salts 2-82 



Mucus 2-30 



Animal matter like horn 230 



Membrane 2000 



Moisture and loss 22-83 



99-30 



KUSSIAN CASTOR. 



Volatile oil 2-0 



Resin 58-6 



Castorin 2-5 



Cholesterin 1-2 



Albumen 1-6 



Gelatin 10-4 



Osmazome 2-4 



Matter soluble in alcohol 1-6 



Carbonate of lime 2*6 



Other salts 2-4 



Membrane 3*0 



Moisture and loss 11-7 



100-0 



20 



