Maternal Organs of Reproduction in Animals. 



253 



the abdomen when in the opposite condition. The cavity of 

 the pelvis is formed by the bones constituting the hips and 

 buttocks (see fig. 1), and it is important to bear in mind that its 



a. -The pelvic cavity. c, c. — The projections, called the hips. 



6.— The sacrum, a continuation of the spine, d, d. — The bony prominences of the buttocks. 



size will materially interfere both with the rapidity and safety of 

 parturition. Many an animal is lost from too narrow a pelvis 

 mechanically obstructing delivery. The practical breeder should 

 therefore always remember, that external form is but a type of 

 internal development, and consequently when the hips are narrow, 

 the buttocks compressed together, and the spine drooping, the 

 size of the pelvic cavity must be small, and parturition thereby 

 rendered more dangerous. The annexed woodcut (fig. 1) shows 

 the relative connexion that the bones of the pelvis have to each 

 other, and the way in which they form the opening through which 

 the fcetus passes in delivery. 



The vagina, i (fig. 2), extends from the external shape, the 

 labia pudendi, to the mouth of the womb, b ; it is placed at the 

 lower part of the pelvis, and has the rectum above it, and receives 

 inferiorily the opening of the urinary bladder, h; previous to par- 

 turition its walls become flaccid., and its inner surface is bedewed 

 with a copious mucous secretion to favour the passage of the 

 foetus. In the act of coition the intromittent organ of the male is 

 placed within the vagina, and is thus brought in contact with the 

 mouth of the womb, by which means the fecundating fluid is 

 conveyed into that organ . 



The uterus, or womb, a, is held in its situation chiefly by the 

 broad ligaments, ff; at its anterior part its coats are continuous 

 with the vagina, and posteriorly it is divided into the two horns, 

 c c, which have attached to their extremities the Fallopian tubes, 

 d d, and connected with these are the ovaries, e e. During the 

 period of gestation the os uteri (mouth of the womb) remains 



