OF PUBERTY. 417 



when they have exiftence, they produce only an 

 effcd: of a tranfient and variable nature. Ana- 

 tomy determines nothing with regard to the ex- 

 iftence of the hymen and carunculae ; it allows 

 us to reje(Sl thefe fymptoms of virginity, be- 

 caufe they are not only uncertain, but imaginary. 

 The effufion of blood, though a more com- 

 mon fymptom, is not lefs equivocal. It has, in 

 all ages been regarded as an infallible proof of 

 virginity. But it amounts to nothing, in all 

 thofe cafes where the entrance of the vagina is 

 naturally relaxed or dilated. Befides, the effu- 

 fion of blood is not peculiar to virgins. Women 

 who have no pretentions to virginity frequent- 

 ly experience this difchargc. Some difcharge 

 copioufly and often ; others a fmall quantity^ 

 and only once ; and fome have no fuch effufion. 

 This phaenomenon depends upon age, liealthj 

 ftrudure of parts, and a number of circumftan- 

 ccs. Of thefe we fliall enumerate only a few, 

 and endeavour, at the fame time, to inveftigate 

 the true caufes of the various phyfical marks 

 which have been held forth as infallable charac- 

 teriftics of female virginity. 



At tlic time of puberty, the parts of botli 

 fcxes undergo a confidcrable change ; Tiiofe of 

 the male have then a growth fo quick, that they 

 arrive in a year or two at full maturity. Thofc 

 of women increafe likewife at this period. The 

 nymphac, in particular, which, though formerly 

 " almoft imperceptible, now become full and con- 

 VoL. U. D d fpicuuus. 



