[ 7 * ] 
cle with me. Befides which, the very Stru&ure of 
its Subftance, from many Obfervations, prove it fuf- 
ciently, having difcerned its interlaced mufcular Fi- 
bres, as plainly as thofe of any other Mufcle in the 
Body: However, its Definition and Ufe, as we (hall 
now mention them, will ferve further to illuftrare 
and confirm our Afiertion. 
nr. 
The Uterus is an Organ deftined, by the Wife 
Author of Nature, not only to receive, cherifh, 
and incrcafe the Ovum> which contains the Foetus , 
till it arrives at due Maturity, but alfo to promote 
its Expuljion, when the Time of Geftation is ful- 
filled. 
IV. 
In a virgin or empty State, it is very fmall, as it 
appears at Tab. II. Fig. 2.5 and being laid open, its 
Subftance and Cavity are no more confiderable than 
Fig. 3. reprefents ; yet, in proportion to its Size, its 
! Farietes are thicker and more compact, than at any 
time during its Geftation, whatfoever may vulgarly 
be thought of it by thofe who have only read of, and 
not obferved it. This Subftance, then, confifts of 
flefhy Fibres and Blood vcftels, both Arteries and 
Veins; and is clcathed internally by a Membrane, 
whofe whole Surface is fet thick with valvulous Holes i 
and externally by the Feritoneeum: Thefe, no doubt, 
ferve to ftrengthen its Subftance, and hinder its mul- 
cular Fibres from being driven too far afunder, by 
the Diftcnfion or Enlargement of the Blood-veftels 
