84 APPENDIX. 



cede some share in the process to this organ j nor can it be granted that any " addition 

 to the muscular organism of the glottis" is enjoyed by those who have perfectly ac- 

 quired this imitative art. 



Of the Generative Organs and their Functions. 

 Note I.I. 



I. Of the Male Organs of Generation -The cellular structure of the corpora caver- 

 nosa penis, according to the microscopic examinations of Mr. Bauer, appears to be made 

 up of an infinite number of thin membraneous plates, exceedingly elastic, so connected 

 together as to form a trellis work, the edge of which is firmly attached to the strong 1 

 elastic ligamentoiis substance which surrounds the whole, and also forms the septum pec* 

 tint-forme. This substance has an admixture of muscular fibres The cells are generally 

 larger, or rather the trellis work is more loose in the middle portion of each corpus ca,- 

 vernosum. - 



Arterial ramifications are supported by this reticular structure, and they are distribut- 

 ed every where througout the cavernous part of this organ. In the usual state of the 

 penis, the blood is not poured into the cells, but returns by the veins, and it remains 

 flaccid; but when a person is under the influence of particular impressions, the minute ar- 

 terial branches which before had their orifices closed, now have their actions suddenly 

 increased, and pour from their open mouths the blood into these cells so as to overcome 

 the elastic power that under ordinary circumstances keeps them collapsed. 



The corpus spongiosum penis appears, from the observations of the same physiolo- 

 gist, to consist of the same kind of structure as that observed in the corpora cavernosa, 

 but on a less scale. Its structure iso als more regular throughout ; without, however, 

 having any muscular fibres mixed with the trellis work, these being confined to the 

 outer surface of the inner membrane of the urethra. The erection of this part is sup- 

 posed to^take place after the same manner as that of the corpora cavernosa, namely, 

 from a vital expansion taking place in the extremeties of the arterial capillaries, and 

 thus allowing the blood to flow from them into the cells of both structures. 



We may state, moreover, that the arteries of the penis are surrounded by a larger pro- 

 portion of nerves than in most of the other tissues of the body. The veins form very 

 numerous anastomoses. It is the division, on dissection, of these numerous veins, and of 

 their numerous roots, anastomoses, and plexuses, which in the opinion of M. Beclard, 

 gives the appearance of cells, the existince of which he denies. Erection of this tex- 

 ture is the result of the influence of the nerves upon the arteries and veins belonging to 

 it. By this influence the action of the arteries is increased, whilst the diamter of the 

 veins returning, the blood is diminished by the tonic contractility which these nerves 

 exert on the coats of the veins. 



Messrs. Prevost and Dumas have both examined the spermatic animalcule. They 

 seem to vary in form in different animals, and to be the product of a real secretion, 

 These physiologists conclude, " 1st, that spermatic animalculae have nothing in com- 

 mon with infusory ones, except in their microscopic size ; 2d, that they are produced in 

 the testes alone, but do not appear in these organs till the age of puberty ; and 3d, that 

 they seem to be the active principle or agent of the semen." 



The vesiculx seminales may, under particular circumstances, more likely to occur in 

 the human species than in 'the lower animals, be employed as reservoirs ; although 

 their ordinary use may be to secrete a fluid which, mixing with the semen in coitu, may 

 render the act more perfect, and more likely, therefore, to produce fecundation. 



II. Of the Female Organs of Generation, The uterus, the ovaria, and the fallopian 

 tubes receive their nerves from the abdominal portion of the trisplanchnic nerves, bran- 

 ches of which unite variously with each other, and form six plexuses. The first, which 

 M. Tiedemann calls spermatic, or the ptexus common to the ovaria and tubes, is situat- 

 ed on the anterior surface of the abdominal aorta,and on the origin of the internal sper- 

 matic artery. It is formed of a number of branches, which come from the renal ganglia. 

 Its iilaments descend, surrounding the arteries of the ovaria, between the membranes 

 which form the broad ligaments of the uterus, and arrive at the ovaria and tubes, in 

 which they are ramified : a few filaments reaches the fundus of the uterus. 



The second plexus, which is the largest, Mr. Tiedemann calls the superior lumbar plex- 



