488 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [ANNO 17 QQ. 



which proved that the testicles were perfect ; but the semen always passed out at 

 the perinaeum. The late Mr. Hunter was consulted, to remedy, if possible, this 

 inconvenience, and enable the person to beget children. After the failure of se- 

 veral modes of treatment which were adopted, Mr. Hunter suggested the following 

 experiment. He advised that the husband should be prepared with a syringe 

 fitted for the purpose, previously warmed ; and that, immediately after the emis- 

 sion had taken place, it should be taken up by the syringe, and injected into the 

 vagina, while the female organs were still under the influence of the coitus, and in 

 the proper state for receiving the semen. This experiment was actually made, and 

 the wife proved with child. On a subject of this kind it is proper to speak with 

 caution ; but, from all the attending circumstances, no doubt was entertained by 

 Mr. Hunter, or the husband, that the impregnation was entirely the effect of the 

 experiment. Spallanzani's experiments on this subject, on animals, were made se- 

 veral years after this proposal of Mr. Hunter's had been attended with success. 



In the female, there are 2 malformations of the organs of generation, which 

 give an appearance to the external parts, tending to mislead the judgment respect- 

 ing the sex. One is, an enlargement of the clitoris ; which is stated by authors 

 to grow to an immoderate size in warm climates, and to resemble a penis. In 

 cold climates, instances of this kind do not occur ; and even in hot countries they 

 are now rarely met with to such an extent. The accounts that have been given 

 we must suppose are much exaggerated ; for it is scarcely to be believed, that any 

 enlargement which the clitoris is liable to, can give it a sufficient likeness to a penis, 

 to be productive of any mistake. The most remarkable instance of this kind, 

 that-has come to my knowledge, was a Negress, who was purchased by General 

 Melville, in the island of Dominica in the West Indies, about the year 1774. 

 She was of the Mandingo nation, 24 years of age ; her breasts were very fiat ; she 

 had a rough voice, and masculine countenance. The clitoris was 2 inches long, 

 and in thickness resembled a common sized thumb \ when viewed at some dis- 

 tance, the end appeared round, and of a red colour, but on a closer examination, 

 was found to be more pointed than that of a penis, not flat below, and having nei- 

 ther prepuce nor perforation ; when handled, it became half erected, and was then 

 fully 3 inches long, and much larger than before i when she voided her urine, she 

 was obliged to lift it up, as it completely covered the orifice of the uretha. The 

 other parts of the female organs were found to be in a natural state. 



Dr. Clark, who has favoured me with this account, from his own examination, 

 mentions, that among the Negro women of the Mandingo and Ibbo nations, a 

 large clitoris is very common ; and in several instances which came under his ob- 

 servation, in the course of his practice in midwifery, in the island of Dominica, the 

 clitoris was 1 inch long, and thick in proportion ; but attended with no other pre- 

 ternatural appearance. The case above-mentioned, while it proves that the clitoris 

 is sometimes of a very extraordinary size, also shows, that when so enlarged, it is 

 unconnec ed with any mixture of the male organs. 



