Man is no exception to this common rule; his genital organs, although distinct, are scarcely developed at the moment of birth. The penis in males, the nymphæ and clitoris in females appear it is true to have a certain size, but this size does not depend on the development of the true spongy, erectile tissue of these parts. The genital apparatus continues to grow, although slowly during infancy, but it does not become filled for reproduction until after the rapid development seen at puberty. Hence in man, as in all animals, the power of reproduction does not exist until after some portion of life has elapsed. What is this portion? why does not the power come earlier or later? this is of but little importance: existence is necessary a certain time before it appears. But as God has made nothing useless in this world, we may fearlessly assert that those who before the age for procreation, excite in themselves the feelings attending this faculty, do an unnatural act and one which is necessarily pernicious. Thus _à priori_, and by the application of general laws all premature indulgences are reproved. This opinion is confirmed by the study of the human body in the first third of its existence. This period of life is marked by two facts of the highest importance. It is then that the organs form, that they become perfect in substance, extent, and texture. It is then also that they acquire in action and in the power of receiving impressions the characters which form their special constitution, that is, the state which considered at the same time in all the organs, composes what is called the _temperament_. During Infancy and in youth, the formation of the substance of the body and of its constitution, is going on. Let us compare with this process, on the regularity of which the health, and well-being of the individual depends, let us compare, we say venereal indulgences, or rather masturbation, for this alone is then possible; we shall then see why the generative faculty was not born with us, and why the precocious excitement of the genital sense is attended with so much danger.