enters into the passage and allows the urine to pass into the vulva,
through which it runs out of the body. The clitoris is situated on the
upper side of this passage, just inside the lips. It can be seen in
the mare when she works the vulva after passing urine. Just below the
clitoris are found two or three small glands which secrete the fluid
that passes away when the mare is horsing.
Mammary Glands, or what is known as the mare’s udder or bag, are two
in number, situated between the thighs. In the young mare they are
very small, but after the mare is pregnant a few months these glands
enlarge, until at foaling time they attain their largest size. They are
covered outside by a thin, smooth skin. The substance of them consists
of small glands and tubes retain or hold milk until it is drawn away
from the bag either by milking or by the young animals sucking. During
the time of suckling the young, the glands are largely supplied with
blood, from which the milk is secreted. On the under side of each
gland is found the teat, or that part taken hold of by the young when
sucking. The end of the teat is pierced by several small holes, through
which the milk passes.
GENITAL ORGANS OF THE BULL.
The testicles are ovoid in shape and well developed, its long axis
being nearly vertical; the membrane which separate the two testicles is
very strong.
The spermatic cord and artery are small compared with those of the
horse.
The penis is long and pointed, and has an S-shaped curve in it just
below the pelvic bones; this curve can be felt by feeling just behind
the bag.
The sheath is long and runs further forward on the belly. It has a tuft
of hair on the point of it. During the time the bull is serving the
S-shaped part of the penis is straightened out by the action of the
protracter muscles, and drawn back into the S-shaped curve by retractor
muscles.
The urethra is completely enveloped by the fibrous sheath.
GENITAL ORGANS OF THE COW.
The ovaries of the cow are comparatively smaller than those of the
mare, but resemble them in structure.
The uterus or womb of the cow somewhat resembles that of the mare, but
the inner membrane is different, being covered with sixty or eighty
mushroom-like bodies about the size of a pigeon’s egg, more flattened
out. These bodies receive the name of cotyledons; to these the placenta
or afterbirth is attached--a very important point with which every
person interested should be familiar. These may be felt by examining a
cow soon after calving. The passage from the womb of the cow is shorter
than that of the mare, but is formed on the same principles.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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