EXTEItS'AL nnCAXS tiF (!h:Xt:i!ATIi>X. 27 



curved. In animals there is only one axis, and that is almost rectili- 

 near, the sacro-vertehral angle or " promontory" heint; comparatively 

 little developed, and the sacrum passinj^ almost in a direct line from the 

 vertebral colunm. This rectilinear direction of the pelvic axis is greatly 

 to the advantage of animals during parturition ; so that the axis of this 

 canal requires but little notice from the veterinary obstetrist, except) 

 when the passage is very constricted. 



CHAPTEK II. 

 Female Generative Organs. 



The genital onjans of the female are much more complicated than those 

 of the male, because of the far greater sliare they take in the process of 

 generation. They are usually described, according to their situation, 

 as external and iyiternal ; or from their function — as cojjulativc and 

 formative. 



Proceeding from the exterior to the interior, these organs may be 

 enumerated as follows : the vulva and viamnue or mammary (jlanih, the 

 vagina, litems, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries. We will describe these in 

 the above-mentioned order, taking the Mare again as the type, and 

 indicating the diflferences in the other domesticated animals. 



SECTION I.— EXTERNAL OIKJANS OF GENERATION. 

 ThK VlLVA. 



The external orifice of the generative organs, the vulva, appears as a 

 vertically elongated slit, situated beneath the anus, between the 

 perineum and ischial arch and the posterior margin of the two hind 

 quarters. It jjresents two thick lijis or labia, and two covnnissures, 

 externally ; and internally it forms a cavity which is continuous with 

 that of the vagina, and extends beyond the meatus nrinarius. The 

 limit between the vulva and vagina is not perceptible in the adult, but 

 is always conspicuous iu the foetus. 



Tlie lips {labiic vulv(C) are usually in contact, and they, with the 

 opening which separates them {rivue vulvcc), vary in si/.e according to 

 age and condition. They are slightly prominent and thick, being com- 

 posed of firm, fiexiblo, and elastic tissue, which is covered with a fine, 

 smooth, unctuous skin destitute of hair, but rich in pigment in the 

 majority of animals. Internally, they are covered by mucous mem- 

 brane, a continuation of that lining the vagina, and which is constantly 

 lubricated by a greasy mucus possessing a special odour, according to 

 the species of animal ; on the free border of the vulva this membrane 

 and the skin meet* 



At the junction of the labia above and below are the coviviiss^tres, due 

 to this junction. The superior commissure is situated close to the anus, 

 from which it is only separated by a narrow space — the perincruvi. It 

 is very angular, and corresponds to the foiirchctte in woman. The 

 inferior commissure is obtuse, rounded and more voluminous; it lodges 



' The two lips coTTes|wind to the labia majora of wninaii : there are no labia minora 

 in aniniala 



