190 THE HISTORY OF ANIMALS. [B. Til 



as soon as it is matured, both fluid and solid. The latter is 

 contained in the extreme parts of the intestine, the former 

 in the bladder. 



3. If animals have acetabula in the uterus, these aceta- 

 bula always become smaller as the foetus grows, and at 

 last disappear. The umbilical cord is a covering for veins, 

 of which the origin is in the uterus. In those crea 

 tures which have acetabula it originates in them ; in those 

 that have not acetabula it originates in the vein. In the 

 larger animals, such as the foetus of oxen, there are four 

 veins ; in smaller animals, two ; in very small animals, as in 

 birds, there is but one. Two veins reach the foetus through 

 the liver, from that part called the gates of the liver, towards 

 the great vein ; and two go to the aorta, where it is divided 

 into two parts ; and there are membranes round each pair 

 of veins, and the umbilical cord surrounds these membranes 

 like a covering. As the foetus increases, these veins diminish. 

 The embryo, as it grows, advances into the viscera, where 

 its movements are manifest. Sometimes it remains rolled 

 up near the pudendum. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



1. WHEK the pains of parturition come on, they extend to 

 many and various parts of the body, but especially to one or 

 other of the thighs. Those who suffer most in the bowels are 

 delivered most rapidly ; those who suffer much in the loins 

 are delivered with difficulty ; those whose pain lies in the 

 subumbilical region, more quickly. If the child is a male, 

 a liquid, serum-like discharge, of a pale yellow colour, pre- 

 cedes ; if a female, this discharge is sanguineous, but still 

 fluid. Some women have neither during the period of par- 

 turition. 



2. In other animals parturition is not painful, and it is 

 evident that they suffer but moderately in the pains of 

 labour. In women the pains of parturition are more violent, 

 especially in those that are inactive or that are not well made 

 in their sides, and are unable to hold their breath. They 

 also suffer more in parturition, if they breathe in the mean- 

 time, compelled by the necessity of respiration. At first a 

 fluid escapes when the fcetus comes to the birth, and the mem- 



