72 EXAMINATION OF 



fheds a feminal fluid within the body, it appears, 

 that he regards not this fluid as a prolific prin- 

 ciple ; and yet he tells us, that the menftrual 

 blood ferves for the formation, nourifliment, 

 and growth of the foetus ; but that the efficient 

 principle exifts alone in the feminal fluid of 

 the male, which ads not as matter, but as a caufe. 

 Averrhoes, Avicenna,and other philofophers who 

 embraced this opinion of Ariftotle, have endea- 

 voured to prove that females have no prolific 

 fluid. They alledge, that, as females are fur- 

 nilTied with a menftrual fluid, which is both 

 neceflary and fufficient for the purpofes of ge- 

 neration, it is unnatural to fuppofe them pof- 

 fefl'ed of any other, efpccially fmce it begins to 

 appear, like that of the male, at the age of pu- 

 berty. Befides, they continue, if females really 

 have a prolific feminal fluid, why do they not 

 produce without, the intcrcourfe of the male, 

 fince they contain the proafic principle, as well 

 as the matter neceflary for the growth and ex- 

 panfion of the embryo ? 7 his lafl; reafon is the 

 only one which merits attention. The men- 

 ftrual blood appears to be necefl^ary for the 

 growth and nouriflimcnt of the foetus ; but ftili 

 it may contribute nothing to its firft formation, 

 which requires the mixture of both prolific 

 fluids. Females, therefore, like males, may have 

 a prolific fluid for the formation of the embryo, 

 as well as menftrual blood for its growth and 

 nourilhmento The imagination is not unnatu- 



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