HERMAPHRODITISM. 249 



In treating of Monsters, it cannot be necessary to give a minute 

 description of all the preternatural formations constituting them ; 

 because many of their parts can explain nothing with regard to their 

 formation, or the animal economy in general. For example, a super- 

 numerary leg having vessels and nerves going to it, explains nothing in 

 respect to either the use of vessels or nerves; two stomachs explain 

 nothing in regard to digestion ; two hearts nothing with respect to 

 the circulation ; and so on. 



However, some of their structures may explain something in the 

 physiology of the more perfect animals ; just as the ' weight ' in a 

 clock might explain the use of the ' spring ' in a watch, &c. ; and, so 

 far, it is right to examine them. The only thing which they would 

 tend to throw any light upon, is the principle of animal life. One 

 brain with two systems of nerves — two brains with one system of 

 nerves — no brain at all — no medulla spinalis, or the communication 

 between the brain and the nerves being cut off, — such monstrosities 

 may explain a good deal with regard to the life and sensation of the 

 animal. It perfectly explains the two states ; viz. that before birth 

 and that after ; both of which are of considerable consequence 1 . 



On Hermaphroditism. 



The parts of generation in animals being of a peculiar construction, 

 and consisting of two opposite mechanisms, called the ' sexes,' we may 

 suppose two very opposite principles [to govern their formation ?] . We 

 find that a degree of accuracy in this construction in both sexes is 

 necessary for the intended use. But these parts are as subject to mal- 

 formation as is any other part of an animal, and they are subject to a 

 monstrosity [to which] no other part can be well subject ; viz. a union 

 of the two sexes, called ' hermaphroditism,' which is the most common ; 

 and the parts of the one [sex being] formed like those of the other, 

 which is another kind of hermaphroditism. We have < natural herma- 

 phrodites' which may also admit of monstrosity: but this is not so 

 easily ascertained ; for we can make out the different parts of the sexes 

 in a monstrous hermaphrodite much better than in the natural one ; 

 because we are perfectly well acquainted with the parts in the instances 

 of their perfect division, as in the distinct sexes ; but we are not so 

 well acquainted with the distinct parts in the natural hermaphrodite ; 



1 [i. e. the explanation of the relations of the monstrosity to both states is of 

 value in physiology ; life and growth going on under the above-cited malforma- 

 tions, in utero ; but subsequent air-breathing life requiring more perfect conditions 

 of the nervous system.] 



