176 A HISTORY OF 



apparent. The growth of the arms is more speedy than that of the 

 legs ; and the fingers are sooner separated than the toes. About this 

 time the internal parts are found, upon dissection, to become dis- 

 tinguishable. The places of the bones are marked by small thread- 

 like substances, that are yet more fluid even than a jelly. Among 

 them, the ribs are distinguishable, like threads also, disposed on each 

 side of the spine ; and even the fingers and toes scarce exceed hairs 

 in thickness. 



In a month the embryo is an inch long ; the body is bent forward, 

 a situation which it almost always assumes in the womb, either because 

 a posture of this kind is the most easy, or because it takes up the least 

 room. The human figure is now no longer doubtful : every part of 

 the face is distinguishable ; the body is sketched out ; the bowels are 

 to be distinguished as threads ; the bones are still quite soft, but in 

 some places beginning to assume a greater rigidity ; the blood-vessels 

 that go to the placenta, which, as was said, contributes to the child's 

 nourishment, are plainly seen issuing from the navel, (being therefore 

 called the umbilical vessels,) and going to spread themselves upon the 

 placenta. According to Hippocrates, the male embryo developes 

 sooner than the female : he adds, that at the end of thirty days, the 

 parts of the body of the male are distinguishable ; while those of the 

 female are not equally so till ten days after. 



In six weeks the embryo is grown two inches long ; the human 

 figure begins to grow every day more perfect ; the head being still 

 much larger, in proportion to the rest of the body ; and the motion of 

 the heart is perceived almost by the eye. It has been seen to beat in 

 an embryo of fifty days old, a long time after it had been taken out of 

 the womb. 



In two months the embryo is more than two inches in length. The 

 ossification is perceivable in the arms and thighs, and in the point of 

 the chin, the under jaw being greatly advanced before the upper. 

 These parts, however, may as yet be considered as bony points, ra- 

 ther than as bones. The umbilical vessels, which before went side by 

 side, are now begun to be twisted, like a rope, one over the other, and 

 go to join with the placenta, which, as yet, is but small. 



In three months the embryo is above three inches long, and weighs 

 about three ounces. Hippocrates observes, that not till then the mo- 

 ther perceives the child's motion ; and he adds, that in female chil- 

 dren, the motion is not observable till the end of four months. How- 

 ever, this is no general rule, as there are women who assert that they 

 perceived themselves to be quick with child, as their expression is, at 

 the end of two months ; so that this quickness seems rather to arise 

 from the proportion between the child's strength, and the mother's 

 sensibility, than from any determinate period of time. At all times, 

 however, the child is equally alive ; and, consequently, those juries of 

 matrons that are to determine upon the pregnancy of criminals, should 

 not inquire whether the woman be quick, but whether she be witb 

 child ; if the latter be perceivable, the former follows of course. 



Four months and a half after conception, the embryo is from six to 

 seven inches long. All the parts are so augmented, that even their 

 proportions are now distinguishable. The very nails begin to appear 



