PLATANISTA. 479 



deep, and the two resultant structures resemble the cotyledons of a growing bean. 

 The process arises between them posteriorly. A preputial fold springs from the base 

 of the glans on either side of it, and the two passing forwards enclose it and the 

 rounded eminence, terminating before the latter. Each fold arises from the glans 

 as a double fold, the two portions of which rapidly unite, enclosing a depression. 

 The labia minora are only faintly indicated. The urethral orifice lies to the right 

 of the base of the filiform process, and is therefore eccentric in position to the 

 mesial line of the body. The area around it and the corresponding surface on the 

 opposite side are devoid of pigment. 



In a female measuring 82*50 inches in length, the generative opening 

 (PL XXXI, fig. 1) is a longitudinal slit about 3*50 inches long. The lips consist of 

 a thick spongy mass, rich in oil. The internal skin is thrown into transverse wrinkles 

 and is continued internal to the lips for about half an inch, preserving its colour and 

 general character. Beyond this point its place is taken by the mucous membrane 

 of the vagina, which is of a pale yellowish hue marked by greyish patches. On 

 pulling the lips apart the sides of the general opening are seen to be thrown into 

 longitudinal folds. 



Lying between the anus and the vulva in a transverse area, which is nearly 

 devoid of pigment, are four small openings. Two occupy the middle line, and are 

 placed so close together that they are only separated from each other by a thin 

 septum, and their passages diverge outwards, each leading into a shallow sac. The 

 other two orifices, placed on either side of the foregoing, are separated from them in 

 an individual measuring 54 inches by an interval of about 2 millimetres, and are 

 similarly constituted to the former. I can detect no glands in connection with 

 these pits. 



Characters of the virgin vagina and uterus,-— In a female a little more than half 

 grown, the vagina is 3'75 inches long (PL XXXII, fig. 1). It does not, however, 

 occupy the mesial line, but tends to the right side of the body, so much so that the 

 vaginal mouth of the os uteri is on a line with the right mammary slit, and, moreover, 

 its ventral wall is directed outwards to the right side, whilst its dorsal wall is bent 

 outwards to the left side, with the rectum placed over it to the left of the mesial line. 

 Its transverse axis is thus placed obhquely from above downwards from right to left. 

 Besides, however, being dextral in the course of its long axis, the latter presents three 

 distinct curves. The first arches upwards and forwards, the convexity of the curve 

 being directed upwards and backwards, which is followed by an anteriorly concave 

 curve of the ventral wall, succeeded, behind the os uteri, by an upward and forward 

 sweep. The canal dilates from behind forwards in the first three-fourths of its course, 

 Le., until it reaches the portion in which there are certain persistent cross folds in the 

 wall, wliich resemble so many spurious uterine mouths. The external opening was so 

 extremely small and puckered that the tip of the little finger could be introduced only 

 with difficulty : there was no membrane resembling a hymen. It was thrown into two 

 posterior and two anterior principal folds, the two former diverging to enclose the anus, 

 being continued on to the dorsal wall of the vagina, only however for a very short 



