644 



THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



foetus from the uterus partly depends on the suitable contraction 

 of this muscular coat. The internal or mucous coat presents a 

 velvety appearance, and it secretes the menstrual fluid. The 

 principal function which it subserves is the forming of a bond of 

 connection between the mother and her young ones, whereby 

 their vitality is preserved and their development brought about. 

 A section of the wall of the uterus, when examined with a 

 microscope, may be seen to be composed of three distinct coats 



Fig. 84. 

 a. The uterus, b. The os uteri, or mouth of the uterus, c, c. The horns, 

 one of -which is laid open, d, d. The Fallopian tubes, with their fimbriated 

 extremities, e, e. The ovaries. /, /. The broad ligaments, g. The urinary 

 bladder, h. The opening of the bladder, i. The vagina cut open to show the 

 passage leading to the bladder and os uteri. 



or layers, viz. beginning from the outermost aspect, first a 

 peritoneal coat, which is smooth and continuous with the lining 

 of the abdominal cavity; secondly, a middle muscular coat, 

 which furnishes the great contractile power, by means of which 

 at the right time the calf is to be expelled from the womb in the 

 ordinary course of nature ; and lastly, the internal or mucous 

 coat, whereto is attached the covering of the foetus, so well known 

 under the name of the after-birth, whereby the vascular con- 

 nection betwixt the cow and the calf is maintained. 



