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change in the plumage of some hen-pheasants. 
changes in the external character depending on the destruc¬ 
tion of the sexual organs, may be effected by artificial means. 
From several examples in different classes and orders, I am 
induced to believe it will be found a law of nature, that in all 
animals bearing external characters indicative of the sex, 
besides the sexual organs, those characters will undergo a 
change, and exhibit an appearance intermediate between the 
perfect male and female, whenever the animal happens to be 
deprived of the influence of the true sexual organs, whether 
from original malformation, subsequent disease, or artificial 
obliteration. 
February, 1827. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE XII. 
No, 1. Part of the body of a female pheasant, the sexual 
organs in the natural state: all the other viscera 
removed. 
a, the ovarium, with its ova ; natural state. 
h, b, b, the oviduct. 
c, part of the intestine, tied. 
No. 2. Part of the body of a female pheasant. 
а, the ovarium diseased, discoloured, spherical character 
of the ova destroyed. 
б , 6 , 5 , the oviduct, exhibiting the same disease, and its 
consequent discoloration throughout the whole length. 
c, part of the intestine, tied. 
