20 VETERINARY OBSTETRICS. 



The Meatus TJrinarius. 



This is the external opening of the female urethra^ 

 and is found on the floor of the vulva about five inches-^ 

 from its external opening, but the distance varies in^ 

 different animals. The opening is guarded by a fold, 

 of mucous membrane attached to the floor and sides of 

 the vulva, having its free border placed in a backward* 

 direction. This membrane is believed to prevent the 

 passage of urine into the vagina. In the Cow, imme- 

 diately behind the opening of the meatus, there is a, 

 small fossa about half an inch in depth, also guarded, 

 by a valve, the function of which is doubtful, but it 

 frequently causes difficulty in passing the catheter in 

 that animal, being mistaken for the meatus. 



About one inch from the external opening of the 

 vulva in the Cow, are situated some almond-shaped 

 conglomerate glands whose ducts unite to form a sinus, 

 by which the secretion from the glands is thrown into 

 the vulva about half an inch, from the external border. 

 These glands are only active at the period of oestrum, 

 and are believed to secrete a fluid having a character- 

 istic odor, which seems to attract the opposite sex at 

 this period. 



In the female Pig, there is no vulvo-vao-inal 

 membrane guarding the opening of the meatus, and ini 

 this animal the clitoris is only rudimentary, and often 

 absent altogether. 



In the female Cat, there is in the clitoris a small: 

 cartilaginous body which has not been seen in any 

 other of the domestic animals, and has been believed! 



