68 



On Abortion in Cows. 



are applied to the ovarian surfaces. Their uses are, to transmit 

 the ovum from the ovaries to the uterus, and during its transit to 

 supply it with a covering, which afterwards becomes one of the 

 foetal membranes. 



The uterus — fig. 5, a and h h — is an elongated hollow organ 

 lying immediately upon the bladder, and below the rectum, or 

 last gut. It occupies in the female a large portion of that interior 

 part of the body called the pelvis. At its front or anterior end it 

 is divided into two parts, called horns, h h, one of which is situated 

 on each side, and in pregnancy below, the body of the uterus. 

 Their extreme outward ends give entrance to the fallopian tubes 

 c c. In the middle line of the body the horns join together, and 

 form the cavity or body of the organ, which, as a whole, is some- 

 what pear-shaped, the narrow end looking backwards, and termi- 

 nating in a tight cartilaginous canal called the opening of the 

 uterus, and technically termed the os uteri, i. The uterus is 

 composed outwardly of smooth shining peritoneum ; next of a 

 layer of peculiar muscular fibres ; and mternally of an extension 

 of the same soft, moist, mucous membrane that lines the interior 

 of the fallopian tubes. The uses of the uterus are to contain and 

 protect the fcelus, and to form the medium by which it is imme- 

 diately nourished. 



Diagram showing horizontal section of Uterus, Fallopian tubes, &c., at the time of the Ovum 

 passirig from the Ovary. a, Body or cavity of Uterus, h b, Cornua, or horns, c c' c". Fal- 

 lopian tubes ; the tube c' is seen att^iched by its large end c" to a portion of the Ovary d, and 

 receiving from the rupture therein taking place the Ovum e, in order to transmit it to the 

 Uterus after coming in contact with the male seed as it is bursting from the Graafian vesicle /. 

 ^ 9, The lining membrane of Uterus, forming the rfec;rf«a. A, Vagina. ?, Os Uteri, j, Vulva. 



