404 O F P U B E R T Y 



abdomen, or are entangled in the rings of the 

 mufcles. But time generally removes thefe ob- 

 ftacles ; and the teftes dcfcend into their proper 

 receptacle at the age of eight or ten, and fome 

 times not till the feafon of puberty. Parents, 

 therefore, have no realbn to be anxious about 

 fuch of their children as feemingly have no te- 

 ftes, or but one. The teflicies of adults are fel- 

 dom concealed ; becaufe nature, at the ap-e of 

 puberty, makes ftrong efforts to bring them to 

 light. The fame effciSt is fometimes produced 

 by difeafe, or violent motion, inch as a leap, a 

 fall, &c. Even when the tellicles never make 

 their appearance, the purpofes of generation are 

 not frulirated. Men of this kind are often en- 

 dowed with uncommon vigour. 



There are men who have but one tellicle. 

 This defeat, however, is inoffenfive; for it is 

 always uncommonly large. Some men have 

 three, and arc, on that account, faid to poilefs 

 more vigour and bodily ftrength. We learn, 

 from the animal creation, how greatly thefe 

 parts contribute to ftrength and courage. Plow 

 different is an ox from a bull, a wedder from a 

 ram, and a capon from a cock ? 



The pradiice of caflration among mankind is 

 very extenfive, and of great antiquity. It was 

 the punifhment of adultery among the iEgyp- 

 tians. In the Roman dominions, the number of 

 eunuchs was confiderable : At this day, thefe 

 mutilated males are employed through all Afia 



and 



