PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 

 Male Reproductive Organs 



. The principal male organs concerned in reproduction are 

 the testes and the seminal vesicles. 



The testes lie in the same relative position as the ovary in 

 the female and are opposite the last two ribs on each side. 

 They produce the semen, which consists of the seminal fluid 

 and the spermatazoa, or sperm cells. The seminal vesicles are 

 the tubes that convey the semen to the cloaca. The sperm 

 cells are living cells, oblong in shape, and are provided with 

 whip-like flagellse, or lashes, by which they are able to swim 

 from place to place. 



The reproductive organs, especially those of the female, 

 are subject to a number of abnormalities and diseases, which 

 will be considered in the treatment of diseases. A knowledge 

 of these organs and their workings has a very practical bearing 

 on the management of the flock. 



The Nervous System 



There are two systems of nerves in a fowl, the cerebro- 

 spinal and the sympathetic. 



The cerebro-spinal system comprises the brain, spinal cord and 

 motory and sensory nerves. This system is the medium of such mental 

 operations as the bird possesses and presides over the senses. The 

 senses of sight and hearing are very acute with fowls, much more so 

 than with human beings. The senses of taste, smell and touch are 

 much more limited. 



The sympathetic system consists of a series of ganglia with radiating 

 nerves and it is connected up very intimately with the cerebro-spinal 

 system, and reacts on the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and repro- 

 ductive systems. 



The operation of every piece of machinery in the factory 

 depends upon the stimulation of the nerves. They are not 

 often affected, but such diseases as apoplexy and epilepsy 

 occur occasionally. Sometimes the nervous system is -attacked 

 by worms and other parasites which produce peculiar dis- 

 orders, probably due to malnutrition caused by the parasites, 

 or to toxic poisoning. 



Other Organs and Tissues 



The spleen. This is a small, dark red organ which lies above the 

 liver and is attached to the proventriculus. It is not provided with a 

 system of blood vessels and capillaries as in other organs. It is not a 

 digestive organ but is considered the factory of the red blood corpuscles, 



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