GENITAL ORGANS. 179 



when, besides, the animal neighs frequently, has an erection of the 

 penis at the approach of mares, and shows himself endowed, in appear- 

 ance at least, with all the instincts and aptitudes of the most vigorous 

 entire male, it is certain that he has not been castrated by bistournage, 

 or otherwise, but that his testicles have not made their normal descent, 

 and either float in the abdominal cavity or remain lodged in the ingui- 

 nal canal. In either case the horse is called a cryptorchid l -or an 

 enorchid. 2 Very often he is called an (worchid* but this is an improper 

 designation, because it indicates the absence of the testicles instead of 

 simply expressing their irregular situation. 



In ordinary language a cryptorchid is called a ridgeling. In scien- 

 tific language we do not advocate the use of this expression, which 

 originated from the horseman, but which is not confined to him, if we 

 may judge from the favor which it has met among a certain class of 

 individuals. 



Whatever terminology may be used, it is none the less true that 

 that cryptorchism does not always exist on both sides at the same time. 

 It is quite common to find it unilateral, but it is an error to believe 

 it affects the right side oftener than the left. Since 1847 we have 

 established the falsity of the foundation of this opinion ; it is useless 

 to prolong our remarks on this question. 



Cryptorchids have always been regarded, with good reason, as 

 being troublesome and dangerous to their companions as well as to 

 their attendants. They often interfere with the manoeuvres of cavalry 

 by kicking and biting, or unfasten themselves in the stable during the 

 night, and mount the mares which they get access to. They are very 

 ardent, and perform copulation readily, although this act appears to 

 fatigue them extremely. We have not succeeded in getting them to 

 repeat it on the same day. Finally, it should not be forgotten that 

 these animals are sterile whenever the two testicles remain in the 

 abdominal cavity ; their semen contains no spermatozoa. This secre- 

 tion has the same characters in those animals in which the glands are 

 arrested in the inguinal canal, as we have several times proved ; but 

 we will not assert that it is always thus. 



The importance of the preceding facts is clearly demonstrated by the two 

 following instances : 



One of them, given by H. Bouley, Jr., has reference to the remarkable Kivire- 



1 From /cpvTTTw, 1 conceal, and 6p\is, testicle. 



2 From ev, in, and op^is, testicle. 



8 From <i, taken away, and 6px<.?, testicle. 



