B. VII. THE HISTORY OF ANIMALS. 



BOOK THE SEVENTH. 



CHAPTER I. 



1. THE circumstances attending on the growth of man, from 

 his conception in the womb even to old age, derived from his 

 peculiar nature, are after this manner. We have already 

 treated of the distinctions of the male and female and their 

 parts. The male begins to have semen at about the age of 

 fourteen complete. At the same time hair begins to appear on 

 the pubes. As Alcmaeon of Crotona says that flowers blossom 

 before they bear seed, about the same period the voice begins 

 to become more harsh and irregular. It is neither quite 

 harsh, nor deep, nor all alike, but it resembles a discordant 

 and harsh instrument. This is called reayi^siv, to have a 

 voice like a goat. 



2. This is more conspicuous in *hose who attempt the 

 gratification of sexual desires ; for those who are vehement 

 in these desires rapidly pass into a man s voice. In those 

 that refrain themselves the contrary occurs. In those who, 

 like some singers, endeavour to avoid this change, the voice 

 will continue for a long while, and never undergo any great 

 change. The breasts also and pudendum not only increase 

 in size, but their general appearance is changed. At thin 

 period of life, if a person is urged to the emission of semen, 

 the discharge is accompanied with pain as well as pleasure. 



3. About the same period also the breasts of females en 

 large, and the catamenia make their appearance. They re 

 semble the blood of a newly killed animal. In young girls 

 only do they appear white, especially if they make use of 

 fluid food. This complaint stops the growth and weakens 

 the body of girls. The catamenia usually appear when the 

 mamma? are about two fingers high. The voice of girls also 

 becomes deeper at this period, for on the whole the voice of 

 women is more acute than that of men. and the voice of 

 girls than that of old women, as the voice of boys ip more 



