VOL. XIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 55 



turpentine, both in colour and consistence. On exposure to the fire, it yields an 

 amber-coloured coagulum (crassamentum carabis instar) — After subjoining the 

 manner in which the uterus should be dissected for the detection of these 

 vessels, the author asks. Whether they are the processuses or vasa deferentia 

 of Laurentius, Riolan and others ; or the lacunae of De Graaf; or lastly the 

 prostatas foeminarum of Caspar Bartholine; or an apparatus of vessels never be- 

 fore noticed?* 



The author next proceeds to a description of the substance of the uterus, and 

 of the membrane with which its inner surface is lined. — This membrane is 

 furnished with innumerable small orifices, from which there exudes a glutinous 

 and mucous humor, serving to keep the uterus and vagina constantly moist. By 

 macerating this membrane in water, the orifices of these excretory vessels are 

 easily seen, especially in sheep. Moreover, during pregnancy the whole in- 

 terior surface of the uterus and of its cornua is beset with tumors of unequal size, 

 which appear to be so many appendices uteri seu vaginularum congeries, whence 

 they have been named cotyledons. They receive from the chorion connecting 

 vessels (which the author terms radices) in such manner that there is formed by 

 their junction a perfect gland, by means of which nourishment is secreted, for 

 the foetus. That part of this glandular body which is attached to the uterus, is 

 of an ash-colour, the other part is of a reddish colour. It is composed of a 

 congeries of vaginulae and sinuses, as is proved by injecting it with ink. It re- 

 sembles the villous coat which lines the stomach and intestines of ruminating 

 animals, abounding in roundish appendiculae, and yielding on pressure a quantity 

 of thick whitish mucaginous fluid (copiosum succum ptisanae persimilem). — It is 

 supplied with blood vessels, into which ink injected by the arteria uteri readily 

 passes.-f- The other part of the gland, which is connected with the chorion, is 

 composed of a number of radiculae, which shoot into the above described vagi- 

 nulae. When this part of the gland is stripped of its vagina, and macerated in 

 water, it forms a beautiful object for the microscope; its radiculas and capilla- 

 menta become separated and raised up, so as to exhibit an elegant representation 

 of a forest. — ^Then follow some observations on the appearances of the human 

 uterus in dissections made either after parturition, or about the 7th month of 

 gestation. To the interior surface of the uterus at such times are attached cer- 

 tain soft, mucous pelliculae, which are connected with the chorion and placenta. 

 They seem to form a sort of net work, composed of round, ash-coloured, 



• The above description applies in part to the prostatae mulierum of the older anatomical writers, 

 as well as to the lacunae of De Graaf; but it further seems to comprise the principal branches of the 

 lymphatic vessels of the womb ; which become so much enlarged, and are otherwise so much diver- 

 sified in their appearance, during the different stages of gestation. 



t The uterine fungi of quadrupeds. 



