A Mechanical and Critical ENQUIRY INTO THE NATURE OF HERMAPHRODITES BY _JAMES PARSONS, M.D._ Fellow of the Royal Society. _LONDON_: Printed for J. WALTHOE, over-against the _Royal-Exchange_ in _Cornhill_. M DCC XLI. To the HONOURABLE Sir HANS SLOANE, Bart. PRESIDENT, And to the COUNCIL and FELLOWS OF THE _ROYAL SOCIETY_ OF _LONDON_; THIS MECHANICAL and CRITICAL ENQUIRY Into the NATURE of Hermaphrodites, _Is Humbly Dedicated, By their most Obedient Humble Servant_, JAMES PARSONS. THE CONTENTS. _INTRODUCTION._ _Containing some historical Observations of Laws and other Occurrences about Hermaphrodites._ Page xi CHAP. I. _Reasons against the Existence of an hermaphrodital Nature in human Bodies._ 1 CHAP. II. _An historical and critical Account of the Causes of Hermaphrodites._ 38 CHAP. III. _A general View of other Authors concerning Hermaphrodites._ 79 CHAP. IV. _CONCLUSION._ _Containing a Description of a Fœtus, and a Recital of the Dissections of such Subjects, by some other Authors, ~&c.~_ 144 THE PREFACE. If the following Sheets are not thought so methodically digested, as some Criticks would require, yet, it is to be hoped, they may conduce, in some Measure, to the reforming of an Opinion, which, in general, is the Result of Doctrines, founded by the Ancients upon the most absurd Principles; and though (if I may use the Words of the great Dr _Mead_) “[1]I do not promise methodical and finished Treatises, but only some short Hints of Natural History, and rude Strokes of Reasoning;” yet I have this for my Plea, that the Expulsion of superstitious Mysteries and Errors, occult Causes, and, in fine, the Promotion of Truth, in some Parts of Natural Knowledge, to the utmost of my Power, are my sole Intention.