REPRODUCTION. M'J") 



fluids of the abdominal* cavity, and which direct the ova dis- 

 charged from the follicle into the oviduct. The uterus is a pear- 

 shaped organ with muscular walls. It is about 7 cm. in length, 

 and consists of an upper dilated portion, called the fundus, and 

 a lower constricted portion, called the cervix. The cervix opens 

 by a small aperture into the vagina, which is a membranous canal 

 about 10 cm. long extending to the vaginal outlet at the external 

 genitalia. 



The Male Organs of Generation are the testicles, vas deferens, 

 seminal vesicles, the penis, the prostate gland, and a number of 

 small glands along the urethra. 



The testicles consist of two parts, a portion of which is cellular 

 and is concerned in the development of the spermatozoa; and a 

 portion called the epididymis, containing the lower portion of 

 the very long and convoluted duct, the vas deferens. This duct 

 connects the testicles with the seminal vesicles, which lie at the 

 base of the bladder and in close relation to the prostate gland. 

 The seminal vesicles are united by a short duct with the urethra, 

 which is the outlet for the excretions of both the kidney and the 

 testicles. 



The spermatozoa are developed in the testicles and find their 

 way to the seminal vesicles through the vas deferens. On their 

 way they become mixed with a number of fluid secretions, the 

 chief of which are derived from the seminal vesicles of the pros- 

 tate gland and of the glands of Cowper. The resulting mixture 

 is the seminal fluid. 



Impregnation. The seminal fluid containing the spermatozoa 

 is deposited in the vagina during coitus. Attracted by the acid 

 reaction of the secretions of the uterus or under an unknown in- 

 fluence, the spermatozoa soon enter the uterine cavity through 

 its opening into tho vagina, and find their way to the oviduct, 

 where they remain waiting for the ovum to appear. 



Ovulation. At about the time of a menstrual period an ovum 

 is discharged from a ripened Graafian follicle and finds its way 

 into the oviduct by way of the fimbriated extremity of the tube, 

 down which it is co \ducted to the uterus. It is a debated ques- 

 tion as to what the t xact relation between menstruation and ovu- 



