THE UKO-GENITAL SYSTEM. 127 



Probably the stroma is similar in its nature and origin to the 

 uterine muscle, for at a corresponding time of life it is apt to give 

 rise to the same form of fibrous tumours as occurs in the uterus. 

 As regards the nature of the Prostate : 



(1) It is purely genital, and develops only in the rutting season 

 in such mammals as manifest a periodical sexual life. 



(2) It remains comparatively undeveloped until puberty. At 

 the age of seven it weighs only 3 grains ; after sexual life is 

 established it weighs about 300 grains. 



(3) It atrophies on castration, a fact which is utilised by the 

 surgeon in cases of prostatic hypertrophy. Castration performed 

 on old men frequently leads to insanity. Atrophy of the prostate 

 is also produced by section of the vas deferens on both sides. In 

 one man out of three over 55 years of age the prostrate hyper- 

 trophies, both the glandular and fibro-rnuscular elements 

 participating. Hypertrophy of the third lobe causes a valvular 

 elevation behind the vesical opening of the urethra. 



The Glands of Cowper and Bartholin are produced as solid buds 

 from the hypoblast lining the mouth of the uro-genital sinus. 

 Hence in the female the ducts of Bartholin's glands open outside 

 the hymen at each side of the vagina, for the hymen marks the 

 junction of the Miillerian ducts with the uro-genital sinus. In 

 the male the ducts of Cowper's glands open at the commence- 

 ment of the bulbous part of the urethra. Their function is 

 unknown, but they are certainly sexual in nature. The numerous 

 glands of Littr£, like Cowper's and Bartholin's glands, are pro- 

 duced by tubular outgrowths during the fourth month. In the 

 male the glands of Littre are produced most numerously along 

 the dorsal aspect of the urethra. 



THE TESTES. 



Descent and Development of the Testicle. — The position of 

 the testicle in a foetus of the third month is shown in Fig. 102. 

 It is situated in the iliac fossa. The mesorchium, a fold of 

 peritoneum, binds its attached border to the iliac fossa. At its 

 outer side lies the genital part of the Wolffian body which forms 

 the epididymis. It, also, is suspended by a mesentery — the 

 Wolffian mesentery. The two mesenteries have a common base — 



