1 66 Dr. Haighton’s experimental Inquiry. 
cavity. I therefore examined these parts under similar circum- 
stances on the third, fourth, and fifth day. In the last experi- 
ment there was but little vestige of cavity, consequently the 
corpora lutea might be considered as perfectly formed. 
I think it not improper to remark here, that though in the 
relation of the above experiments I have constantly kept in 
view the formation of corpora lutea ; yet I did not altogether 
neglect the opportunity of making other observations, which in 
this early stage of the inquiry it would be premature to relate. 
Besides which, several other rabbits were examined at more dis- 
tant periods, as well with a view of tracing their progress with 
accuracy, as to afford further evidence of their connexion with 
impregnation. But as it would be tedious to state in detail the 
several experiments made on this single question, by reason of 
the great similarity of result, I decline trespassing on your pa- 
tience, and therefore lay before you only the conclusion ; which 
is, that in the great variety of experiments on brute animals 
which my physiological inquiries have led me to conduct, as 
well as in the extensive opportunities I have had of observing 
the ovaries in the human subject, I have never seen a recently 
formed corpus luteum unattended with some circumstance or 
other connecting it very evidently with impregnation. I have 
more than once seen a recently formed corpus luteum in the 
human subject, without a foetus. Nay, even in a subject where 
there has been a kind of hymen : but the uterus in these cases 
has borne the marks of an early and recent abortion. 
