In the first place, the phenomenon clearly establishes the fact that sex in the female human being differs, pronouncedly, from that of all other female life.  For, whereas, among all females except woman, coitus is impossible, except at certain times and seasons, among women the act can not only be permitted, but is as much possible or desired at one time as any other, regardless of the presence or absence of the ovum in the womb.  That is (and this point should be noted well by the reader) there is a possibility, on the part of the female humanity, for coitus, under conditions that do not at all obtain in any other female animal life.

This is a conclusion which is of such far-reaching importance that its limits are but dimly recognized, even in the clear thinking of most married people.  The fact of such difference is known to them, and their practices in living conform to the conditions; but what it all means, they are entirely ignorant of, and they never stop to think about it.

And yet, right here is the very center and core of the real success or failure of married life!  Around this fact are grouped all the troubles that come to husbands and wives.  About it are gathered all the joys and unspeakable delights of the happily married—­the only truly married.  It is these items which make a knowledge of the real conditions which exist, regarding this part of married life, of such supreme importance.  If these conditions could be rightly understood, and the actions of husbands and wives could be brought to conform to the laws which obtain under them, the divorce courts would go out of business, their occupation, like Othello’s, would be “gone indeed.”

The first conclusion, then, one that is forced upon the thoughtful mind by the fact of this difference in the sex possibilities of women and other female animals, is, as already stated, but which is here repeated for emphasis, that coitus can be engaged in by women when pregnancy is not its purpose, on her part; and that this never occurs in any other form of female life!

In view of this fact, is it too much to raise the question whether or not sex in woman is designed to fulfill any other purpose than that of the reproduction of the race?  True it is, that the only function of sex in all other females is merely that of producing offspring—­of perpetuating its kind.  Under no circumstances does it ever serve any other end, fulfill any other design. There is no possibility of its doing so!

But one can help wondering if it is not true that, with the existence of the possibility of engaging in coitus at will, rather than at the bidding of instinct alone, there has also come a new and added function for the sex-natures that are capable of engaging in such before-unknown experiences?  To a fair-minded person, such conclusion seems not only logical, but irresistible!  That is in view of this conclusion, it naturally follows that sex in the human family is positively designed to fulfill a function that is entirely unknown to all other forms of animal life.  And from this, it is but a step to the establishment of the fact that sex exercise in the human family serves a purpose other than that of reproduction!