300 GENERATIVE SYSTEINI. 



at all accurately made out; which fibrous texture it is that gives 

 the labia their firmness, resistance, and elasticity. Interposed 

 between this mixed substance and the skin, we find scattered 

 iasciculi of pale fleshy fibres : these come from the perineum, 

 grow larger and more conspicuous as they descend, and form a 

 union below the inferior commissure, with similar fasciculi com- 

 ing from the opposite labium. Some consider these fasciculi, 

 collectively, as forming a distinct muscle, and give it the name of 

 sphincter vagina. They will, unquestionably, perform such an 

 office ; but I know of no occasion on which they appear to be so 

 manifestly called into action, as when a mare, just after staling, 

 is ejecting the stagnating drops of urine from the vagina by re- 

 ])eated eversions of the labia and os vaginee. The labia are lined 

 l)y a mucous membrane (the same as that which lines the vagina), 

 which is continuous with the skin covering them externally, has 

 a smooth humid surface, a pinkish hue (unless it be at the season 

 of the venereal oestrum, when it is deeply reddened), and is 

 perforated by the discharging mouths of numberless mucous 

 follicles. 



THE COMMISSURES are the angles uniting the labia, 

 above and below. The superior cotnmissure is extended into a 

 sharp angle, and joins the perineum ; (he inferior is obtuse or 

 rounded off, and is bounded by a hollow, named ihej'ossa navicu- 

 laris, at the bottom of which is lodged the 



CLITORIS. — This miniature resemblance of the male organ 

 is brought into view by simply dilating the vulva. Not only in 

 its appearance is it strikingly like the penis, but it is found to 

 bear the same close analogy in structure. Its extremity is in- 

 vested in a doubling of thin and delicate skin, which is hairless, 

 and commonly marbled ; or, if not, black, or entirely white : a 

 part that corresponds to the prepuce of the penis. It is firmly at- 

 tached to the pubes by two short ligamentous prolongations, 

 forming its roots. These unite into a cylindrical body, from two 

 to three inches in length in a state of distention, and this consists 

 of two spongy canals, separated by a pectinated fibrous parti- 

 tion, and inclosed within a dense, firm, white tunie : in fact, it 

 is a structin-e altogether the counterpart of the corpora cavernosa 

 penis. To this is added a bulbous termination similar in form 

 and composition to the glans penis ; and through it is a per- 

 foration out of which may be squeezed a sebaceous matter that 

 serves to anoint the part, and preserve its aptitude for that sen- 

 sual enjoyment of which it (as well as the glans penis) is known 

 to be peculiarly susceptible. To the clitoris belong a pair of 

 muscles, named the ereclores cliloricUs ; they will be found de- 

 scribed at page 130. 



