MALE ORGANS. 189 



animals [as being reservoirs 1 ]. I observed the same in the dog-fish; 

 the termination of the vasa deferentia were enlarged and full of semen, 

 which was white and creamy. . 



Generative Secretions tested by Taste. 

 The semen would appear, both from the smell and taste, to be a 

 mawkish kind of substance ; but, when held some time in the mouth, it 

 produces a warmth similar to spices, which lasts some time. 



On the Mucus of the Urethra. 



The fine transparent mucus of the uretbra is strongly impregnated 

 with sea-salt, which is immediately known by the taste. The use of 

 this mucus would seem to assist in lubricating the inside of the vagina ; 

 for it is similar to that from Cowper's glands in women, and it is only 

 secreted in the time of copulation ; none is to be found at other times. 



Of the Penis. 



From experiments, it would appear that the erection of the penis is 

 not through a greater influx of blood at one time than at another, but 

 from a stagnation in the common passage of the blood through the part, 

 as in the veins when we tie up an arm 2 . 



The penis sympathizes much with complaints of the bladder, and even 

 with complaints of the kidneys ; for Avhen either of their parts are 

 irritated, the pain is mostly in the glans penis ; but if either are much 

 irritated, then they become sensible of it*. 



Penis of the Horse. 



The cavernous structure of the penis of a horse is plainly muscular 

 to the eye 3 ; and, from circumstances, there is reason to suppose that 

 the human [corpus cavernosum] is the same ; for we find that the penis 

 is sometimes, in erection, much larger than at others, yet equally turgid 

 at both times. When in the largest state, it is always at a time when 

 the parts are warm and relaxed, when the whole constitution is free 

 from all kinds of rigors ; it is largest, e. g., when erect in the warm bath. 



* Vide Dissections of Morbid Bodies (No. 6). 



1 [See the more mature conclusions of the author on this subject, in his work 

 1 On the Animal Economy,' pp. 20-29.] 



2 [See Animal Economy, p. 32, and Note.] 



3 [Hunt. Prep. No. 2549. See Animal Economy, p. 30, where Hunter states that 

 in a horse just killed the cells of the cavernous structure ' contract upon being stirrm- 

 lated.'] 



