4-28 OF PUBERTY. 



ducated in perfedl purity, and totally ignorant 

 of pleafure, have felt the moft lively impref- 

 fions, without being able to recognife either their 

 caufe or their objed ? How many, on the con- 

 trary, remain cold and languid, notwithftanding 

 all the efforts of fenfe and imagination ? 



This part of our bodies, therefore, belongs 

 lefs to us than any other of our members. It 

 ads or is languid without our participation. 

 Its fundlions commence or terminate at certain 

 periods. All this happens without our com- 

 mand, and often contrary to our inclination. 



Where, then, is the foundation for thofe laws, 

 which are fo unjull: in their principle, and fo 

 difgraceful in their execution ? The rules and 

 decrees of the Congrefs * are an affront to hu- 

 man reafon. Its members fhould have known, 

 that the very means they employed to invefli- 

 gate truth, were not only indelicate, but infal- 

 libly prevented its difcovery. 



When there is no defcdt in the external con- 

 formation, barrennefs proceeds oftener from 

 the woman than the man ; for, independent of 

 the pernicious effeds of the fiuor albus, there 



feems 



* The name of an Infamous court in France, where trials 

 for irnpotency, with a view to diflblve marriages, were held. 

 Proofs by infpee^ion were taken before the judge, who was aflift- 

 ed by furgeons and midwives. This court was abclilhed by an 

 arret of the parliament of Paris, dated iSth February 1677. It 

 is furprifing that the Count de BufFon, who expreiTes the utmoft 

 deteftation againft this court, l};ould liave mentioned nothing 

 of its difTolution. 



