The upper part of the Womb being tilted to the right side, the neck of course points to the left, and backwards. It is now very short, even in primipara, but in those who have borne children it is scarcely to be distinguished at all. The finger may now be introduced, even in primipara, half way up the neck; and in others it will reach even into the uterine cavity. [Illustration: PLATE XVIII. First child. Woman who has borne children. The neck of the Womb in a first pregnancy, and in a female who has borne children before, at the end of the seventh month.] The part below the lower line here, shows that part of the neck which is contained in the Vagina. It will easily be seen how much shorter this part is, and how much more open the passage is, in the female who has borne children, than in a first pregnancy. Ballotment and Auscultation both, now afford unmistakeable evidences as to the condition of the patient. _End of the eighth month._--By referring to the preceding Plates, it will be seen that the part of the neck of the Womb _above_ the Vagina, which is placed between the two dotted cross lines, remains almost unchanged, while the part _within_ the Vagina, or that below the lowest line, becomes less and less, till at this time, in those who have borne children, it can scarcely be felt at all; and even in a primipara it is merely like a small tubercle. About this time however, the upper part of the neck begins to shorten also, though that is not so obvious, and therefore not so useful for our present purpose. On making an examination, the mouth of the Womb itself may now be felt, at the upper part of the Vagina, and far back. It is however, very difficult to reach, on account of its position. The finger will now pass, in those who have previously borne children, into the cavity of the Womb itself, but in others it will scarcely reach so far. The linea alba becomes darker at this period, and so does the areola around the nipple. Certain peculiar marks also appear on the Abdomen, and upper part of the thighs, almost like the _pits_ from small pox. They are usually diamond shaped, slightly depressed, and dark in color. They appear to be owing to the over stretching of some of the parts under the cuticle, and which give way in consequence. In first pregnancies, and in those who enlarge very much, these marks are sometimes very numerous, and remain for a long time after delivery, sometimes even they never disappear. As signs of pregnancy however, they are but of little value, because they are often produced by other causes that distend the Womb. None of these presumptive signs are now needed, and therefore they are of little consequence, because there are others more certain.