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Special hygienic and medical information for parents, embracing health and diseases of the reproductive organs, urinary apparatus, rectum, diseases of childhood, everyday emergencies, household recipes, and common disorders and what to do. With copious index and glossary

B. M. Dewey · 1880 · Scanned text · Free in the US

77,773 words · about 5 h 27 min to read

Period artwork: Interior of the Bodleian Library, 1845
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About this book

Author
B. M. Dewey
Language
English
Published
1880
Length
77,773 words · about 5 h 27 min
Sections
37 reader sections
Text
Scanned text, read from page scans by OCR; may contain errors
Rights
Public domain in the United States

 

Contents (37)
  1. Front matter about 1 min
  2. Preface about 2 min
  3. Part I.— Chapter I. Sexual Peculiarities Of Plants And The Lower Animals under 1 min
  4. Chapter II. Sexual Anatomy And Physiology under 1 min
  5. Chapter IV. Conception And Its Peculiarities about 1 min
  6. Chapter V. Puberty And Its Phenomena under 1 min
  7. Chapter VII. Childbirth about 1 min
  8. Chapter X. Laws Of Generation about 1 min
  9. Chapter XI. Hereditary Influences under 1 min
  10. Chapter XII under 1 min
  11. Part Ii.— Chapter I. Diseases Of Women about 10 min
  12. Chapter I. Sexual Peculiarities Of Plants And about 7 min
  13. Chapter II. Sexual Anatomy And Physiology about 10 min
  14. Chapter III. Generative Organs Of The Male * about 4 min
  15. Chapter IV. Conception And Its Peculiarities about 19 min
  16. Chapter V. Puberty And Its Phenomena about 4 min
  17. Chapter VI. Signs Of Pregnancy about 4 min
  18. Chapter VII, Childbirth about 17 min
  19. Chapter VIII. Sterility about 5 min
  20. Chapter IX. How To Regulate The Sex about 3 min
  21. Chapter X. Laws Of Generation about 22 min
  22. Chapter XII. Woman's Sexual Rights about 9 min
  23. Chapter XIII about 13 min
  24. Chapter I. Diseases Of Women about 43 min
  25. Chapter II. Disorders During Pregnancy And After Confinement about 4 min
  26. Chapter III, Venereal Disease about 10 min
  27. Chapter IV. Diseases Of Rectum about 6 min
  28. Chapter V about 10 min
  29. Chapter VII about 12 min
  30. Chapter VIII. Everyday Emergencies, And What To Do On The Spot about 12 min
  31. Chapter IX. Household Recipes about 3 min
  32. Chapter X. Common Disorders, And What To Do- Erysipelas about 9 min
  33. Appendix about 9 min
  34. Chapter I. Hygienic Eating about 18 min
  35. Chapter II. Hygienic Cooking about 49 min
  36. Chapter III. Table Etiquette about 6 min
  37. Index To Addenda about 2 min

Continue:

Front matter

Class 7? ClA Book J/ S3

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT

V

Preface

IN presenting the present volume to the public, my object has been not so much to present anything new as to recast the old. Those hygienic and medical facts that every parent should understand, I have tried to classify and simplify. I have endeavored to make this work a special household guide in health and disease. For the past twelve years I have been lecturing on anatomy, physiology and hygiene. My lectures have been both private and popular, and have be.n illustrated with a first-class apparatus, consisting of manikins, skeletons, French models, oil paintings, etc. To the thousand and more questions that have been asked me during my lecture tours concerning health and disease, this volume will be a sufficient answer.

My lecture experience has taught me what the parents of the land are most anxious to know. The anatomical and physiological facts are in accordance with the teaching of the best scientists of to-day.

I have been careful of my facts; fanciful theories have been discarded ; superstitious whims have been ridiculed. In considering the various topics, my constant endeavor has been to use plain language. Technical terms have been avoided as much as possible, and those that are used are thoroughly explained in the glossary appended to this volume. When describing diseases, I have tried to be explicit. Remove the cause has been my therapeutic maxim. The prescriptions given are in plain English and from the best sources. In considering hygiene, science and experience both have been consulted.

6 PREFACE.

The philosophy, dangers and complications of parturition have been presented in such plain light, that the mothers of the land can easily understand them. Another reason why a popular treatise on the reproductive organs is required is this, viz: many ladies are dragging out a miserable existence on account of the diseases of the sexual apparatus. At least one third of the general physician's practice is devoted to female weakness. Many ladies have not the moral courage to consult a physician, and at the same time they are too ignorant of their own organisms and the laws that govern them, to obey health laws. False modesty is doing the work. Finally, the inroads of the disease are so deep, the sympathetic effects are so extended, the doctor is summoned. Too late! he exclaims; all he can do is to alleviate symptoms — he cannot cure. Death soon claims his victim.

The major part of this volume is devoted to the facts and phenomena manifested by the reproductive organs of both sexes in health and disease.

Two chapters, viz : the seventh and eighth, of part second, are devoted to topics specially important to parents, viz : Everyday Emergencies and what to do, and Diseases of Children and their cure.

Chapter ninth is devoted to Household Recipes which have been selected from the best sources.

Chapter tenth is devoted to Common Disorders and their treatment.

This work is designed for the parents of the land rather than for the physician; therefore I trust the medical profession will be mild in their criticisms, and no physician should frown on efforts to popularize science.

Hoping this volume will prove advantageous and acceptable to the public is the sincere wish of The Author.

Contents

Preface, 5

Part I.— Chapter I. Sexual Peculiarities Of Plants And The Lower Animals

The flowers of the field — what are they? - -28

How are plants fecundated ? - - - 30

Reproductive facts, - - - - - 32

Hermaphrodite, - - - - - 33

When is sex first manifested? - - - -33

Abnormal sexual evolution, - - - 34

Chapter II. Sexual Anatomy And Physiology

Female organs of generation, 36

Hymen — what is it? • - - - 37

The uterus, _____ 39

Fallopian tubes, - - - - 42

The ovary, — structure of the ovum, 43

Corpora lutea, - - - - - - 44

The egg's journey, - 45

CONTENTS.

Chapter III. Generative Organs Of The Male

The structure and office of the testicles, - - 48

The semen, its composition, 49

Journey of the sperm, and seminal fallacies, - "5°

Chapter IV. Conception And Its Peculiarities

Exploded theories, ""."." 53 Theory of to-day, - - - - "54

Fcetal development, - - - - 55

Quickening of the child, - - - 56

Opinion of the ancients, - 57

The placenta, its structure, - - - 58

How is the blood purified ? 59

Position of afterbirth, - - - 60

Umbilical cord and fcetal circulation, - - 61

Bag of waters, how formed, its office, - - 62

Office of amniotic fluid, ------ 63

Relation of sac to placenta, - - - 64

Mystery of twins, - - - - 65

Number of afterbirths ; Siamese Twins, - - 66

Superfcetation, ----- 66

Abnormal pregnancy, - - - 69

Remarkable cases, - - - - 71

Duration of pregnancy ; when does labor begin ? 73

Chapter V. Puberty And Its Phenomena

Menstruation, peculiar freaks, - - 76

The cause, origin of menstruation, - - 78

Turn of life, - - - - - 79

CONTENTS. 9 CHAPTER VI.

SIGNS OF PREGNANCY.

Suppression of the menses, - - - Si

Nausea and vomiting, - - - 82

Areolar change, ----- &$

Kiesteine, - - - - - 84

Chapter VII. Childbirth

Midwife to-day; instructions for the nurse; precautions to be observed, - - 87 First signs of labor, - - - . . - -88 Second pains of labor, - - 90 Born with a veil, - - - - 91 How to make an examination, 93 Care of the child, - - - - 94 Care of the mother, - - - 95 The afterbirth, how removed, - - - "95 Flooding, and what to do, - - - 96 Abnormal adhesions of placenta, - - - 96 How to stop flooding, - 97 Extreme case ; plugging the vagina, - - - 98 Internal hemorrhage ; binder for mothers, - 99 Convalescence ; precautions, - 100 Lactation and its derangements, - 101 Abscess of the breast, - 102 Sore nipple, how to treat, - 103

Chapter VIII. Sterility

Removable cause, ----- 105

Causes not removable, - 107

Impotence of the male, - 108

General causes of sterility, - 109

I O CONTENTS.

Chapter IX. How To Regulate The Sex

Prof. Thury's theory, - - - - - 113

Sexual whims, - - - - - 114

Theory of Sixt, - - - - - 115

Chapter X. Laws Of Generation

Parentage, - - - - - 116

Mother's relation to child ; husband's duty, - - 117 Tristram Shandy's opinion, - - - 118 How to raise healthy offspring, - - - 119 How to raise intelligent offspring, - - - 121 How to raise moral, good looking and good natured offspring, - - - - - -122

Mother's marks, how formed, - - - 123

Mind influence, - - - - 124

Faith cures; Bible testimony, - - - 125

Cases of mothers' marks, - - - - 126

Monsters, how produced, - - - 127

Dwarfs; offspring resembling lower animals, - - 128

Opinion of Darwin, Huxley and Agassiz, - - 129

Frog baby, its history, - - - - 129

Chapter XI. Hereditary Influences

Heredity of lower animals, - - - 131

Office of amativeness, - - - - 132

Horace Mann's opinion, - - - - 132

Cause of divorces, - - - - 133

CONTENTS. 1 I

Child's birthright, - - - - 134

Two kinds of sinners, - - - - 135

Physical conjugal mates, - - - - 136

Nervous temperament, - - - - 137

Motive temperament, - - - - 138 Vital temperament, - - - - " I 39

Mental conjugal mates, - - - - 140

Married, but not mated, --._.■- 140

The picture reversed ; trouble in the camp, - 142

Intermarriage, _____ r ^

Chapter XII

woman's sexual rights.

Mother's relation to child, - 145

Mother a sacred name, - 146

Limitation of offspring, - 146

Mothers should have the whole say, - 147

Command different now, - - - - 148

The doubter answered, - - - - 148

Woman more virtuous than man, - - 149 Mothers desire children, .-■-.. I $

Mrs. Beecher Hooker's views, - - - 151

How to end the career of the abortionist, - 152

Miscarriage and its dangers, - - - 152

Chapter XIII

miscellaneous questions answered.

Concerning foetus, - - - - 355

Concerning infant, - - - - 156

Concerning mother, - - - - -158

CONTENTS.

Part Ii.— Chapter I. Diseases Of Women

Girls' erroneous education,

Nervous excitements, -

Dress, improper, in childhood,

Tight lacing, its ill-effects,

Precautions against disease,

Pruritus of vulva, --...-

Leucorrhcea, its history, -

Vaginal whites and cure,

Uterine whites and cure, -

Sunbaths as a tonic, -

Amenorrhcea, cause and cure,

Menstruation, tardy, cause,

Menstruation, suppressed, and cure,

Menstruation, painful, and cure,

Menstruation, profuse, and cure,

Menstruation, .vicarious, cause,

Chlorosis, green sickness, and cure,

Physometra, cause and cure,

Uterine dropsy, and cure,

Uterine displacements, how remedied,

Womb, anteversion and retroversion,

Flexions of the uterus,

Uterine tumors, -

Fibroid tumors, how removed,

Polypus of the womb, how removed,

Cauliflower tumor, how removed,

Cancer of the uterus, no cure,

Ovarian disorders, their nature,

Ovarian hypertrophy and atrophy,

Ovarian dropsy, -

Is ovarian dropsy ever cured?

183 185 186

CONTENTS. 1 3 CHAPTER II.

DISORDERS DURING PREGNANCY AND AFTER CONFINEMENT..

Nausea and vomiting, and treatment, - - 223

Wakefulness and headache, - - - 224

Cramps; varicose veins, - 225

Milk leg, cause and cure, - - - 226

Puerperal mania, and treatment, - - - 227

CHAPTER III.

VENEREAL DISEASE.

Gonorrhoea, cause, symptoms and cure, - 228, 229

Gonorrhoea in the female, - - - 231

Syphilis in the male, ----- 232

Syphilis in the female, - 236

Syphilis in the infant, ----- 238

CHAPTER IV.

DISEASES OF RECTUM.

Constipation, cause and cure, - 240

Piles, cause and cure, --.-■- 242

Piles, radical cure, ----- 245

CHAPTER V.

DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS.

Gravel, cause and cure, - 247

Irritable bladder, what to do, - 250

Retention of urine in the male, - - 251

Involuntary urination in old age, - - 252

1 4 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

RUINOUS HABITS OF YOUTH.

Masturbation, its effects, - 254

Duties of parents, - 256

Spermatorrhoea, how cured, - - 257, 258

CHAPTER VII.

OUR CHILD IS SICK WHAT IS THE MATTER? WHAT TO DO.

Signs of health, ----- 2 6o

Special signs of disease, - - - - 261

Hygiene of childhood, - - - . - 261 A warm bath, ----- 262

Sore mouth, thrush, aphthae, - 263, 264

Colic, what to do, - - - - - 265

Worms, how treated, - - - - 266

Croup, false and genuine, and cure, - - 267. 268

Diphtheria, how cured, - 269

Wetting the bed, - - - - - 270

Diarrhoea, and remedy, - - - - 271

CHAPTER VIII.

EVERYDAY EMERGENCIES, AND WHAT TO DO ON THE SPOT.

Hemorrhage, how controlled, - - - 273

Syncope, its cause, - - - - 275

Fits, how to cure, - - - - - 275

Drowning, restoration, - - , - 276

Shock of injury, ----- 277

Serpent bites, cure, - - - - 278

Poisons and antidotes, - - - - 279

Burns and scalds, cure, - - ; - - 281

CONTENTS. 1 5

Lightning stroke, _■■--_-- 282

Frost-bite, and cure, - - - - 283

Sprains and Bruises, - 284

Sunstroke, what to do, - - 285

CHAPTER IX.

HOUSEHOLD RECIPES.

Beef tea ; beef essence ; wine whey ; how to take a sitz bath; wet sheet packing ; dripping sheet, - 286

CHAPTER X.

COMMON DISORDERS, AND WHAT TO DO.

Erysipelas, and cure, - - - - 290

Army itch, and cure, - - - - 291

Whooping cough, and cure, - - - - 291

Boils and carbuncles ; epileptic fits ; rickets, - 292

Chronic nasal catarrh ; chronic skin diseases, and cure, 293 Rheumatism; a good liniment for man or beast ; a good

cough syrup; to purify the blood, - 294

Chilblains ; sore eyes ; chronic sore eyes, - 295

Tapeworm specific; bleeding at the nose ; goitre, - 296 Scald head ; ringworm ; barber's itch ; pimples on the

face ; bed sores, how to cure and prevent, - 297

Asthma; chapped hands; sore lips ; to remove dandruff, 298 Dyspepsia ; gargle for sore throat ; neuralgia ; earache,

Ingrowing of the nail ; to remove warts, - - 300

Corns ; heartburn, and cure ; disinfectants for sick room, 301

WHAT IS MAN?

MAN is a machine — one of the most complex, one of the most interesting machines ever created; and that mechanic, who. can suggest a single change in the structure, relation, position or function of any organ or tissue of the human system, would be a master mechanic indeed. When God created man, he did his best. Man stands at the apex of the pyramid of organic life ; he wears the crown of creation.

In the ordinary American watch we find the various wheels, levers, etc., nicely arranged to give us the accurate time, but when we study the human system we find the various tissues and organs more nicely arranged to give us health, and thereby happiness. We have to wind the watch up every 24 hours or else it will run down, so, likewise, we have got to wind our bodies up every day or else we will run down, and some, these hard times, are not more than one-half wound up.

When we digest our food properly, and exercise proper care in its selection, we are one-third wound up ; when we breathe properly, and all

I o IN TROD UC TION.

the organs of secretion and excretion perform their full duty, so that the blood is truly a vital fluid, we are two-thirds wound up ; when we obey all the laws of the muscular and nervous systems ; when mind and body react healthfully on each other, then the machine is in good running order and truly the body is a fit temple for the soul.

You cannot manipulate any piece of machinery unless you understand the relation of the different parts to each other, and the laws that control those different parts. The human system is the most intricate piece of mechanism ; each of its parts is governed by immutable laws. The mind is the engineer ; the more knowledge, therefore, imparted to it, the better qualified it is to perform the high mission to which it was consecrated by the Creator.

SCIENCES REQUISITE FOR HEALTH.

Anatomy and Physiology are true indices to rational hygiene. Human anatomy not only describes the structure, form, weight, and color of the various organs and tissues, but it also points out their relations and physical connections. Accurate anatomy is the true stepping-stone to sound physiology.

Physiology deals with functions, with laws ; it tells the true office of the parts anatomy has described ; hence we are correct in saying, anatomy deals with matter, physiology deals with law. When we are versed in anatomy and physiology, then we possess the necessary requisites to become true hygienists.

Hygiene, so-called from Hygeia, the fabled Goddess of Health, is the art of preserving health. Physiology is a science, and requires study ; hygiene is an art, and requires action. Know the law and comply with it, is the true watchword. If you violate a physical law, you must pay the penalty in pain and misery ; if you obey the law, you will be bountifully rewarded with health and happiness. You may violate a municipal law, but money and friends may lessen the penalty; but if you transgress the laws of health, there is no appeal ; your case is taken to the highest court at once — the court of the Great Supreme. Your Judge is merciful, but, at the same time, he is just. He cannot be bribed ; he is unchangeable. No point of law is questioned ; he is a^tthor of all of them. The Jury is agreed — he is Judge and Jury both; the verdict is guilty \ the penalty is pain, disease, and perhaps death. The hygienist is the true physician. He is a greater benefactor, who prevents pain and suffering, than he who restores health and cures disease.

Therapeutics is the art of curing disease ;

2 O INTROD UC TION.

it has reference not only to administering medicines proper, but it likewise suggests the proper hygienic means. The whole material and metaphysical world is at its disposal. Hygiene deals with health, and prevents ; therapeutics deals with disease, and restores; hygiene is the nobler of the two.

The therapeutics of to-day is far in advance of the past. Pills and plasters are fast becoming medicinal fossils ; panaceas are extinct ; medical superstitions are becoming dissipated before the effulgent rays of science. In ancient, times the comets were indicative of war and pestilence ; in ancient times every one at the approach of a comet would drop down through fear, every form of sacrifice was offered to appease an angry Deity. We are not frightened at comets now ; we can gaze at these celestial wanderers with the same serenity of mind that we look at the silvery moon, as it glides along on a clear evening.

Science teaches fear not, all is governed by law. The philosopher s stone, that would transmute the metals, was sought for ages by the alchemists in their secret laboratories ; chemistry says it is a fallacy. Panaceas were believed in for ages and ages ; therapeutics long ago called them myths. With the progress of science drugs, are becoming discarded.

IN TROD UC TION. 2 I

The geologist teaches us there has been a gradual progression in animal and vegetable organisms, from their first introduction to the present, and he likewise informs us that the fauna and flora of the past are true indices of the physical conditions of the past ; so likewise the therapeutist informs us there has been a gradual unfolding of remedial applications, and that the remedies used in any age truly reflect the state of medical knowledge then extant. The true physician of to-day refers to the lancet, pills and plasters the same as the naturalist refers to the monster reptilian forms entombed in the rocks, — truly relics of the past.

TRUE THERAPEUTICS.

A celebrated French physician on his deathbed said, the three greatest remedies for the cure of disease are air, exercise and diet; and I think if our physicians of to-day would prescribe more air and less antimony, more exercise and less emetics, more diet and less digitalis, more sunlight and less sulphur, more quiet and less quinine, more water outside and less whisky inside, it would be far better for their patients.

DISEASES CLASSIFIED, AND THEIR TREATMENT.

If I were to form a classification for diseases I would make three grand divisions. My first class would embrace those produced by wearing out; too much action. The second class, those produced by rusting out; too little action. The third class, those produced by mental despondency or a morbid imagination.

For the first class I would prescribe rest. Have you dyspepsia? Is the mucous membrane of the stomach highly excited? Are you subject to those sour eructations, that the dyspeptic only can experience ? Give the stomach rest and not rhubarb; it is the best stomachic. Rest, many times, is the best eye lotion, the best liniment, the best expectorant. Rest is pleasant to take, it requires no sugar coating, it never nauseates, homeopathic granules are by no means so palatable.

For the second class, where there is too little action, I would prescribe exercise. Each organ may at times experience a fit of laziness; it may be a lazy liver, a lazy muscle, a lazy brain, and there are cases where the whole system is lazy, — a general laziness. Exercise is a specific. A lazy man is an invalid, and sawdust powders will cure him — it is not necessary to take them. All that is required is to use the saw long enough to produce the powder.

For the third class, those produced by mental aberration, I would prescribe hope. In the metaphysical world the therapeutist finds many remedies that will reach the disease when all else fails. Faith removes mountains of disease ; hope is a tonic ; fear a sedative ; anger a cholagogue ; joy a stimulant.

The true physician should be a metaphysician. Body and soul are intimately related ; whatever influences the one receives is reciprocated.

SEXUAL KNOWLEDGE IMPORTANT.

In no department of science does there exist so much general ignorance as in regard to sexual matters, — ignorance attended by effects not only confined to the sufferer in this world, but this same ignorance is transmitting untold misery to all posterity. Truly the sins of the parents are handed down for countless genera-* tions.

When parents thoroughly realize these three facts: First, Hundreds are being born daily with their moral natures so beclouded, it will take a life-time to reclaim them. Second, Idiots are being born daily, but little higher in the animal scale than the lowest animals, governed by instinct more than by reason. Third, There are more diseases stamped upon the child in utero (before it is born) than it can entail upon itself while traveling the journey of life. When these three facts are thoroughly comprehended, a greater interest in sexology will be manifested.

WOMAN THE HIGHEST CREATION.

We might compare the whole animal world to a pyramid. At the base we will place the polyp, the starfish and the shells ; a little higher up we find the fishes; still higher, the reptiles; still higher, birds ; still higher, the mammalia ; near the summit we find man ; but at the very apex we find woman. Woman, as a moral and social being, occupies a more elevated position than man. Geology, physiology, phrenology and history confirm this fact. If the ladies of the land do not conform more closely to the laws of health, they will lose the high estate bequeathed them in Eden. Woman should study herself; she should thoroughly realize that she is the architect of her own health ; that pain and disease are the natural sequence of violated law ; it makes no difference in the physical effect whether the laws are transgressed ignorantly or willfully. It is not a frowning Providence, but her own sinfulness that is burdening her, with such indescribable pain, such complicated diseases. Nature, and not deformity, is the standard of beauty. Strict hygiene is the best cosmetic. The rose tint of health is more lasting than the rotige tint of the druggist. Lyman Beecher truly said, in his address to young men : " Young men, take good care of the old ladies, for you will have but few old ladies long."

Chapter I. Sexual Peculiarities Of Plants And

THE LOWER ANIMALS.

THE whole material universe is divided into two grand classes, viz., the organic and the inorganic. The first class includes everything that has life, viz., animals and vegetables. The second class includes all material objects destitute of life, viz., minerals.

There is no better established fact than this : that all animals and vegetables are sexed ; that is, they are endowed with special organs, or functions, whose sole office is to propagate their species. There seem to be two elements of character stamped on all vitalized beings : First, That force which ever strives to preserve self; Second, That which is ever struggling to propagate the species. Hence we are scientifically correct when we say, Self-preservation is the first law of nature, and propagation of the species is the second.

Phrenology teaches us that the first faculties

PHENOMENA OF HEALTH.

of the mind, with which animals are endowed, are alimentiveness and amativeness. In the human brain, the organs through which the aforesaid faculties manifest themselves occupy the lowest range, and they are on the same plane ; hence, the perversion or abnormal action of these two organs is equally sinful. The drunkard and glutton are no lower than the libertine.

I have been told by a reliable and scientific nurseryman, that if a tree is injured so that it will probably die, its reproductive powers are aroused at once, and it will commence bearing fruit much earlier than those trees of the same age and variety that are uninjured.

This fact shows that if the first law, viz., self-preservation, is rendered null and void, the second law, viz., propagation of the species, is enforced more rigorously. The bible teaches the same fact — " Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth," is about the first command given.

THE FLOWERS OF THE FIELD, WHAT ARE THEY?

The flowers of the field, that are so beautiful to the eye, whose fragrance is so pleasing to the sense of smell, whose beauty so refines the intellect and spiritualizes the soul, are, in reality, the reproductive organs of the plant supporting them. Take the lily and analyze it. The corolla, or flower proper, is composed of six petals,

SEXUAL EVOLUTION.

2 9 or flower leaves. In the center of the corolla are six filiform, thread-like bodies, termed stamens. At the upper , extremity of each of the stamens is a hollow globular organ, termed the anther. These stamens constitute the male organs of the plant. The anthers are the testes, six in number. They form the pollen, which is the semen of the plant. The next part of the flower to which we invite your attention is the pistil. The pistil is the female generative organ. In the lily there is but one, but in some flowers there are many. The pistil is a long, thread-like organ, arising from the same base as the stamens. It is longer than the stamens, and towers up above them. The pistil is divided into three parts, the germ, style and stigma. The germ is the part attached to the flower. It contains the seed, or rather the rudiments of the fruit in an unformed stage. The germ corresponds to the ovary in the animal. The style is a hollow tube reaching from the germ to the stigma, or open mouth situated at the upper extremity of the pistil. The style corresponds to the vagina (or birth passage) of animals. The stigma is the analogue of the vulva (external organ of generation in the female of the higher animals).

HOW ARE PLANTS FECUNDATED?

The pollen, or seminal powder of the anther, is wafted by the breezes to the stigma, or open mouth of the pistil. Thence the fecundating powder passes down to the germ, and impregnation is the result.

The reproductive organs of plants manifest, apparently, many peculiar freaks of development and office. In some flowers the stamens are sessile ; that is, the anther is in direct contact with the base of the corolla, and not supported by the filiform body of the stamen. The stigma of the pistil is many times sessile ; that is, there is no style ; the stigma and germ are in direct contact.

Plants, as a rule, are true hermaphrodites; that is, their flowers or blossoms contain both stamens and pistils in the same corolla. In the hop, strawberry, date, palm, and many others, the stamens and pistils are on different individuals.

SEXUAL E VOL UTION. 3 r

In setting out hops, they generally plant one male hop to twenty female hops. The hops are vegetable Mormons.

Whether the pollen is carried from the anther to the stigma will depend very much on the surroundings, especially the direction of the wind. The pollen is many times transported by insects, especially the honey bee and the butterfly. Where the stamens and pistils are on different plants, it is highly important that the plants be placed quite near to each other. Fertilization would be more apt to be effected if gardeners and horticulturists better understood the sexual nature of plants and flowers.

Impregnation sometimes takes place at a great distance.

Mrs. Phelps, in her botany, gives the following remarkable instance: "A curious fact is stated by an Italian writer, viz., that at places about forty miles distant grew two palm trees, the one without stamens the other without pistils; neither of them bore seeds for many years ; but in process of time they grew so tall as to tower above all objects near them. The wind thus meeting with no obstruction, wafted the pollen from the staminate to the pistillate flowers, which to the astonishment of all began to bearfruit."

The vegetable world manifests many curious reproductive freaks, but they are nothing compared with the wonderful, and I might say miraculous, phenomena manifested by the lowest animals in their different modes of propagation.

REPRODUCTIVE FACTS.

Agassiz says: "Reproduction by buds occurs among the polyps, medusae and some of the infusoria, on the stalk, and even on the body of the hydra and of many infusoria, there are formed buds like those of plants. On close examination they are found to be young animals, at first very imperfectly formed and communicating at the base with the parent body, from which they derive their nourishment."

The buds resemble the buds of plants, and in time they are detached from the parent and become separate and independent beings, destined to undergo the same metamorphoses as the parent.

Another mode of reproduction is called fissiparous. It is peculiar to the polyps and some of the infusoria. In this form, instead of buds being forced and then detached, the animal by some inherent power is segmented or divided into various sections, each section becoming a separate being. Any one can satisfy himself by experimenting on some of the lowest animals that this power of propagating by division is

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