ANATOMY. 19 
of the male. It is firmly held in position by a fold of 
ligamentous tissue, to the floor of the vulva. It is. 
composed principally of erectile tissue, which tissue 
becomes congested at the period of cestrum, rut, or 
heat. The clitoris is covered, on its free surface, with 
a pigmented membrane which is arranged in folds, and 
is very highly endowed with sensibility ; this membrane. 
being believed to perform an important function in the 
act of copulation. 
The Hymen. 
This is a fold of mucous membrane which more or: 
less completely separates the vulva from the vagina, 
and stretches across the passage at the division of 
these two organs. It is a very delicate mucous struc- 
ture, and for a long time it was believed that this 
membrane was normally complete, and was only 
ruptured at the first act of copulation, and its presence 
or absence was looked upon as a sign of virginity. 
Even to this day some authorities hold that laceration 
of this membrane denotes the absence of virginity. 
This, however, is a mistake in all animals, as some 
human females have been examined who never had 
coition, and this membrane was represented simply by 
a small band; while others again have been examined 
and this membrane found complete after the female 
had given birth to several children. 
In our subjects, the hymen is often well developed 
in Fillies, but is often absent, or only rudimentary, in 
Heifers 
