CHAP. X. 



Of the Formation of the Foetus, 



FROM the experiments of Verheyen, who 

 found the femen of the bull in the uterus 

 of a cow, and from thofe of lluyfch, Fallopius, 

 and Leeuwenhoek, who difcovered male femen 

 in the uteri of women and many other animals, 

 it feems to be a point fully afcertained, that the 

 femen of the male enters into the uterus of the 

 female. It is probable, that, during the time of 

 coition, the orifice of the uterus opens for the 

 reception of the feminal fluid : Bur, though this 

 fliould not happen, the adtive and prolific part 

 of the femen may penetrate the membranes and 

 fubftance of the uterus itfelf ; for, as the femi- 

 nal liquor, as formerly remarked, is almoft en- 

 tirely compofed of organic particles, wliich are 

 very adive, and extremely minute, they may 

 pafs with the utmoft facility through the mem- 

 branes and fubftance of the uterus. 



What proves that the adive part of this fluid 

 may pafs through the pores and fubftance of 

 the uterus, is the fudden change it undergoes 

 immediately after conception. The menfes are 



obftrudcd, 



