84 STRUCTUEE AND ECONOMY OF THE HOUSE. 



The seminal fluid, from the place of its secretion to that of Its 

 departure from the body, traverses a considerable length of 

 passage ; that of the urethra alone being nearly two feet. 



It is secreted by the minute branches of the spermatic artery, 

 whence it passes into small tubes, which convey it to larger ones, 

 which from being assembled in the form of network are" called 

 the rete : thence a still larger set of tubes, the vasa efferentia, 

 convey it from the testicle itself to the epididymis. The epi- 

 didymis, which we have before observed lies on the upper part 

 of the testicle, receives the semen from the vas efferentia, which 

 unite at the anterior part of the epididymis, and terminate in a 

 single duct several yards in length when unwound, but colled 

 up in the small compass of the large head or nut of the epidi- 

 dymis. From this part the vas deferens proceeds, which, join- 

 ing the cord, enters the abdomen through the ring, and tra- 

 versing the pelvis, conveys the semen to about one inch posterior 

 to the neck of the bladder. 



Tiie Vesiculce Scminalis, oblong membranous bags, are sup- 

 posed to act as reservoirs for the semen ; they are situated in the 

 space between the bladder and the rectum, and open by means 

 of ducts Into the urethra, very near the termination of the vas 

 deferens. 



The female organs of generation are usually classed by ana- 

 tomists into the external and the Internal. The opening just 

 under the anus, so much larger in brood mares, is termed the 

 pudendum or vulva, and Is formed by the labia or lips on each 

 side, the places of junction of which above and below are termed 

 the commissures. 



The Labia Pudendi are covered externally with fine soft skin, 

 generally of a dark colour, under Avhich there Is a fatty and 

 fibrous substance, which forms their principal bulk. Within the 

 vulva, the labia are covered by a mucous membrane, and possess 

 some degree of muscular power, which Is exemplified in mares 

 after staling. 



On separating the lips of the pudendum, we find at the lower 

 part, the clitoris, a fleshy body, somewhat analogous to the penis, 

 having like it a power of erection, and furnished with muscles for 

 the purpose. 



Anterior to the clitoris and about four inches from the vulva, 

 Ave find the commencement of the passage to the bladder, the 

 meatus urinarlus. It is large enough to admit the finger, is 

 about two inches in length, and passes downwards and forwards 

 to the bladder ; its entrance is guarded by a membrane, which 

 lies upon it, and thus acts as a valve. 



The Internal Organs of generation are the vagina, the uterus, 

 the fallopian tubes, and ovarice. 



The Vagina is a cylindrical canal of great dimensions, being 



