VIVIPAROUS ANIMALS. 395 
no influence whatever on generation, but as analogous, in 
their station and habits, to the intestinal worms *. 
2. Female Organs.—The female organs, in viviparous 
animals, consist of the ovaria and oviducts, the uterus and 
vagina. 
The Ovaria are two in number, of an oval or globular 
form, and situated in the cavity of the pelvis. They are 
covered by a fold of the peritoneum, and likewise possess 
a covering of a finer texture, peculiar to themselves. The 
surface of the ovaria is smooth in some animals, but un- 
even, or tuberculated, in others. The texture of an ova- 
rium is spongy, and it abounds in cells, especially towards 
the surface. In early life it is small in size, and only 
reaches its destined dimensions at the age of puberty. 
About this period, irregular oval bodies, of a glandular 
structure, begin to form in its substance. These are fre- 
quently of a yellow colour, and hence have been termed 
corpora lutea. In the centre of these bodies is a cavity, 
in which the egg or germ is generated, and brought to a 
certain degree of maturity. This body at length bursts, 
and suffers the egg to escape. The corpus luteum, after 
discharging its germ, becomes absorbed gradually, and 
finally disappears. Others, in the mean time, form, to 
prepare for successive births, Attempts have been made 
to examine the structure of the ovum by M. Baver f. 
But the smallness of the object, and the softness of its 
parts, prevent any microscopical observations of a satisfac- 
tory kind being made. 
“The reader who wishes further information on this curious subject, 
may peruse SpatLanzani’s “ Tracts on the Natural History of Animals 
and Vegetables.” 
+ Phil. Trans, 1817, pe 252 ;—and 1819, p. 59. 
