successively grows, at its proper time, to maturity, and is then no larger than a small-sized pea. The apparent anomaly in the size of the human egg, as compared to the egg of a bird or fowl, is accounted for by the fact that the egg of the fowl must contain within itself the nourishment of the chick until this is ready to break down its prison, and carry off some of its wall on its back; while the human being develops itself into a being within the womb, and derives nourishment from the body of the mother.
Every four weeks, one of these eggs is matured (some- times, though rarely, two or three), and by a process here- after described finds its way into the womb.
Every four weeks, with few exceptions, a determination of blood to the ovaries, womb, and all the generative or- gans, takes place. This orgasm, or congestive state, is com- municated to the Graafian vesicle, which swells into matur- ity bursts, and gives freedom to the egg. This process is called ovulation, or generation of eggs.
The Fallopian tubes, of which we have spoken as appen- dages to the womb, by a reflex or sympathetic action seize this egg, and convey it within their fold, on one or the other side. There it remains for some days. Physiologists disagree as to the length of time that the tube retains the egg; some stating it at two, some five, some even eight and ten days: some also say that it does not retain the egg at all, but conveys it directly into the womb, where it re- mains for a certain time, and, if not fecundated (or made fruitful), is passed out.
The temporary sojourn of the egg within the Fallopian tubes or within the womb has its important significance. It is alleged that it remains there to become fecundated by the male principle. If not fecundated within a certain time, ?ay ten or twelve days, it passes off; and, from the
