ON GENERATION. 299 



it does not take place, for I have known several, who without 

 anything of the kind were sufficiently prolific, and even some 

 who after experiencing such an emission and having had great 

 enjoyment, nevertheless appeared to have lost somewhat of their 

 wonted fecundity ; and then an infinite number of instances 

 might be quoted of women who, although they have great satis- 

 faction in intercourse, still emit nothing, and yet conceive; 

 passing over these facts, I say, I cannot but express surprise at 

 those especially, who, conceiving such an emission on the part 

 of the female necessary to conception, have not adverted to the 

 fact that the fluid emitted is discharged, cast out, and is parti- 

 cularly abundant about the clitoris and orifice of the vulva; 

 that it is seldom poured out within the vulva, never within 

 the uterus, and so as to be mingled with the semen of the 

 male ; moreover, it is of a mere serous or ichorous consistency, 

 like urine, by no means thick and apparently unctuous, like 

 the spermatic matter of the male. But how shall we suppose 

 that to be of use internally which is discharged externally ? Or 

 shall we say that this humour, as if bidding the uterus farewell, 

 is taken to the verge of the vulva, that it may be then recalled 

 with greater favour by the uterus ? 



The other argument is drawn from the genital organs of 

 women, the testes, to wit, and vasa spermatica, prseparantia et 

 deferentia, which are held to serve for the preparation of the 

 spermatic fluid. I, for my part, greatly wonder how any one 

 can believe that from parts so imperfect and obscure, a fluid 

 like the semen, so elaborate, concoct and vivifying, can ever be 

 produced, endowed with force and spirit and generative influ- 

 ence adequate to overcome that of the male; for this is implied 

 in the discussion concerning the predominance of the male or 

 the female, as to which of them is to become the agent and effi- 

 cient cause, which the matter and pathic principle. How should 

 such a fluid get the better of another concocted under the in- 

 fluence of a heat so fostering, of vessels so elaborate, and en- 

 dowed with such vital energy ? how should such a fluid as the 

 male semen be made to play the part of mere matter ? But of 

 these things more hereafter. 



Meantime it is certain that the egg of the hen is not en- 

 gendered from any such discharge of fluid during sexual inter- 

 course, although after connexion, and brimful of satisfaction, 



