74 Veterinary Elements. 



buttons or cotyledons. The womb of the ewe is similar 

 to that of the cow, the horns being longer, as they are 

 also in the sow. The vagina is the passage connecting 

 the womb and the vulva; it is the organ of copulation 

 and permits the passage of the offspring. The vulva is 

 the external opening of the genito- urinary tract, appear- 

 ing as a long ovoid slit below the anus; on the floor of 

 the vulva is the entrance to the bladder, and also the 

 clitoris (composed of erectile tissue). 



Eeproduction is accomplished by the union of two indi- 

 viduals of the opposite sexes. 



Heat, Rot, Oestrum are all terms used to describe the 

 natural mating period, at which time the ovuni (egg) is 

 developed in the ovary, and passed from thence to the 

 uterus, where if it meets the male element may become 

 fertilized and undergo development into the offspring. 

 This formation of the ovum does not occur until a certain 

 period, known as puberty, which is manifested by the first 

 appearance of heat, the signs of which are swelling and 

 reddening of the genitals, flow of reddish, peculiar smell- 

 ing discharge, frequent attempts to urinate, restlessness, 

 bellowing and seeking of the male, mounting other ani- 

 mals, spasmodic movements of the clitoris are evidenced 

 during the erotic period. The condition of rut or heat 

 becomes more frequent with domestication. 



The time elapsing between the periods of heat varies 

 in the different animals, occurring in the mare at inter- 

 vals of eighteen to twenty -one days, in cattle about every 

 three weeks, ewes every sixteen to seventeen days, sows 

 fifteen to twenty-one days. Mating will only be permit- 

 ted during the period of heat. The time available for 



