THE GENITO-TjEIXARY SYSTEM. 



135 



which projects into the vaginal cavity. The cervix uteri is 

 always tightly closed, excepting in the period of oestrum and dur- 

 ing parturition. The vagina is a muscular cavity, lined with 

 mucous membrane, situated immediately under the rectum and 

 communicating with the outside by means of a slit-like opening 

 called the vulva. The ovum being generated in the ovary, is 



Uterus, Oviducts and Ovaries of Sheep. 



/ — Confluence of cornua. t — Round ligament. ^ — Cornua. A — FaUopian tube. 

 /«— Broad lig-ament (Owen). 



vivified by the semen from the male, either in the fallopian tube 

 on its passage to the womb or in the womb itself. As soon as 

 fertilized, the egg locates in one of the horns of the womb and 

 there develops into the foetus, the process of development lasting 

 over a period of about five months before birth of the mature 

 lamb takes place. 



