18 ANIMAL CASTRATION. 



The spermatic cord is formed anteriorly by the 

 spermatic or great testicular artery, whicli forms, in 

 that portion, a large number of fiexuosities, caus- 

 ing its length greatly to exceed that of the cord to 

 ■which it belongs. It contains a network of veins, and 

 lymphatic vessels in abundance, which are united to 

 the curves of the artery by a somewhat loose cellular 

 tissue. A large number of nervous branches, given 

 off by the solar plexus, surrounds the whole. 



Between the lamellae of peritoneal structure which 

 forms the posterior sej)tum, and which unites the 

 parietal with the visceral layer, there is found a band 

 of grey muscular fibres — first discovered, I believe, 

 by H. Bouley — which exerts a powerful agency in the 

 retraction of the testicle towards the inguinal ring. 

 Behind this muscle, and situated on the internal face 

 of the septum, are found the deferent canal and the 

 circumvolutions of the small testicular artery. 



Having thus considered the essential points of the 

 anatomical structure of these organs, we shall next 

 seek to enforce the importance of their careful study 

 in reference to the intelligent and skilful performance 

 of the important operation which we are discussing. 



