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CHAP. II.Fecundated Ovum. 



1. THE maternal ovum is constituted for the preservation 

 of its identity in this state: and this identity is maintained, 1st, 

 as long as life continues to reside in it; or, 2d, until it receives an 

 extraneous influence of a peculiar kind. 



2. This extraneous influence being obtained, sub coitu, that 

 which was the maternal ovum becomes the fecundated ovum; and 

 instead of a constitution disposed to preserve its present identity, 

 it is made one, disposed for change. 



3. It has been matter of inquiry among naturalists whether 

 an actual contact of the ovum with seminal fluid is necessary for 

 its fecundation ? or, whether the communication of an aura subtilis, 

 from this fluid, to the ovum, is sufficient for the same purpose? 

 As is usual in questions of no importance, many experiments have 

 been made with a view to the decision of these questions. The 

 experiments are not worth comparing: the principal facts relating 

 to the question are the two following: 1st, that an ovum, in the 

 human subject for example, is fecundated in the ovarium, as in the 

 case of extra uterine foetuses; to which seat, it appears improba- 

 ble, from the structure of the parts, that the gross seminal fluid 

 should penetrate. 2nd, That the ova of fishes are fecundated 

 without coition by mere contact of male semen. If the first fact 

 indicates that the ovum is fecundated without seminal contact, or 

 by an emanation of its properties, or aura subtilis, the second fact 

 does not refute this conjecture, because, though an actual contact 

 may commonly take place, yet the properties which are efficient 

 in the result of this contact may be separable from the fluid to 

 which they belonged; or may be the emanating properties, or 

 aura subtilis just spoken of. If the argument were discussed 

 minutely, much might be urged on both sides: such a discussion 

 is however superfluous, because, as before hinted, the question 

 itself is one of very little importance; for the relation of the 

 ovum is not with a few gelatinous particles, but with the spirit 

 or vital properties of which the visible fluid is the mere vehicle or 

 medium. In this point of view, as the fluid itself can have no 

 efficacy, whether it does, or does not touch the ovum ; it seems, on 

 this account, scarcely worth while to bestow a grain of ingenuity 

 in settling the alternatives. 



