VOL. XV.3 PHILOSOPHICAL TKANSACTIONS. 201 



cornu towards the end, as at L, and saw there likewise a good quantity of the 

 semen which was very lively, I opened the cornu on the right side, and found 

 a like number of the living animals. Then I opened that part of the uterus 

 which is between the vagina and the cornu, as at H, which part was l-f. of an 

 inch long: and here I found, in the matter lying on the inside of the uterus, a 

 greater number of the living animals than before, and I cannot think they were 

 less than lOO millions. 



After 3 hours and 4- I went to communicate this my discovery to an eminent 

 physician and anatomist, who could not be of De Graaf's opinion about the 

 descent of the eggs out of the ovarium, though he had been present at his 

 dissections. In his presence I opened the uterus in another place, and showed 

 him the substance contained therein, having in it a great number of the living 

 animals of the semen masculum, though the weather was very cold and freezing. 

 I likewise showed him one of the plexus commonly called the ovarium, wherein 

 were several bloody spots, caused by the breaking of some of the water bladders, 

 or glandulous particles, of which they consist: which broken water bladders 

 were still included in a very strong membrane ; the said physician remaining 

 convinced that generation was more clearly explained after my way, than by 

 eggs sucked out of the ovarium. 



I opened the vagina uteri, and caused it to be so drawn, with the uterus, 

 and ovarium, or testicles ; the vagina and uterus are not exhibited of the full 

 length, to avoid occupying too much place on the paper ; but their breadth is in 

 due proportion, as also the ovarium with the glandulous particles, and water 

 bladders. ABCD is the pudendum of a bitch opened. DEFG is the vagina 

 uteri opened, which was 5 inches long. This 1 first examined in the middle 

 about F, to see whether there were any of tlie senien masculum in that place, 

 but I found none at all, but instead thereof a great deal of scales, which pro- 

 bably belonged to the inward skin of the vagina, and were worn off; also 

 several globules of that sort which makes ilie blood red, and a great many 

 globules of a less sort. I then examined it about E, but found only the same 

 substance. 



Lastly, I examined it about G, close by the uterus, where I found very few 

 animals; but the scales were there very plentiful, being at least 25 scales to one 

 animal. These last animals I suppose were only such as were scattered in the 

 way, when the penis of the dog was drawn out. 



From these observations it may be concluded, that ngt the vagina, but the 

 Mterus itself, is made for the reception and inclosing of the semen masculum ; 

 lest the animals should swim back, and come into the sheath, which would be 



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