THE PIGEON. 229 



backwards to the cloaca (V/), where it ends in a dilatation, 

 the vesicula seminalis (v.s) (see 231, p. 236). 

 In the female. 



211. The ovary (Fig. 53, ov), a single mass of irregular 

 form, situated at about the same level as the testes ( 209), 

 but somewhat to the left side : it is made up of a number 

 of globular bodies or capsules, each containing an 

 ovarian egg, which, in the adult, vary from the size of 

 a cherry downwards, while in the young bird none may be 

 larger than a pin's head. The single ovary represents that 

 of the left side : a rudiment of the right ovary is sometimes 

 present. 



212. The (left) oviduct (l.od), a convoluted tube, with 

 stout walls, about a third of an inch in diameter in the 

 adult, and lying to the left side of the pelvic cavity : 

 posteriorly it enters the left side of the cloaca (see 232), 

 anteriorly it dilates into a large funnel-shaped termination 

 (l.od"\ with delicate membranous walls, and having an 

 antero-posterior diameter of about an inch, which puts the 

 cavity of the oviduct in communication with the ccelome 

 (l.od 1 "). As some difficulty will probably be experienced 

 in distinguishing between the funnel-like extremity of the 

 oviduct and the peritoneum which supports it, the dissection 

 should be performed under water. 



213. The rudiment of the right oviduct (r.od), a 

 small blind tube, usually about half an inch long, but 

 varying in size in different individuals, attached to the right 

 side of the cloaca. 



In both sexes. 



214. The kidneys (Figs. 52 and 53, k\ dark red bodies, 

 situated immediately posterior to the lungs, and in close 

 contact with the dorsal body wall : each consists of three 

 well marked lobes an anterior, a middle, and a posterior 



