CERTIFICATE OF DESCRIPTION. 815 



the testicles are soft, flabby, and without spermatozoa, like those of 

 cryptorchids. To these glands are annexed the normal deferent canal, 

 which terminates in the urethra after following its ordinary course upon 

 the superior surface of the bladder. Neither a uterus nor ovaries have 

 ever been found. 



It is none the less true that the external resemblance of these ani- 

 mals with the mare is rather striking. They have, in fact, two per- 

 forated inguinal glands well developed ; the borders of their perineal 

 fissure almost simulate the lips of a vulva ; as to their penis, atrophied, 

 curved like an S, and always directed backward, its free extremity is 

 lodged in the inferior commissure of the cutaneous opening, like the 

 clitoris of the female. But these animals are distinguished by other 

 external and unequivocal characters. First, their mouth is provided 

 with tusks like that of ordinary males ; besides, their pseudo-clitoris is 

 customarily pierced by an orifice through which the urine flows, unless 

 there be a hypospadia, in which case the urethral fissure terminates 

 directly In the bladder and not in the vagina ; finally, they show mascu- 

 line signs, neigh, and have an erection of the penis at the approach of a 

 mare in heat, and at times endeavor to mount her. In the presence of 

 such undeniable proofs of masculinity there is, therefore, no possible 

 doubt. Such a horse should, in our opinion, be designated cryptorchid 

 horse, affected with a fissure (median or lateral) of the perineum, the 

 sheath, or the urethra, etc., according to the seat and the nature of the 

 parts interested. 



2d. Race. Save in the races whose characters are very striking, 

 there are instances in which it is not always possible to tell the race. 

 This fact is due to the numerous crossings which have been practised 

 for a long time upon the various types, formerly much more easily 

 recognized. At present the mixture often becomes so confusing that 

 one is almost tempted to imitate the example of Buffon relative to the 

 dog, by establishing, also, for a number of subjects without any estab- 

 lished origin, the large group of street horses (chevaux de rue). In 

 practice, these animals are usually termed common horses, horses of a 

 common race, a vulgar and improper expression, which, literally, by 

 no means conveys the idea of bastardy, but to which, nevertheless, it 

 is intended to make allusion. In such cases, it is better to omit men- 

 tion of the race when it is not very clearly characterized, rather than 

 expose one's self to error in the diagnosis. 



3d. Service. The service for which the animal can be employed 

 is indicated by these words : "proper to the service of . . ." It is then 

 specified if the animal in question is a saddle-horse, a driving-horse, a 



