There is a Story in some Authors, that having put Human Seed into a Viol close stopp’d, and plac’d it for some time in a Dunghill that was moderately hot; they observ’d that the Particles drew up themselves in such Order, as to assume the Form of a Child.  This (say they) comes to pass after the same manner as the Forming of a Chick in an Egg, which requires only a temperate Heat to Hatch it.  But they agree, that ’twas impossible to Nourish this Infant, which according to them, perish’d before ’twas intirely Form’d.  If this Observation were true, it would make us believe that the whole Matter of which the Child is Form’d proceeds from the Man.  But this Story wants Confirmation, as does likewise the following Relation Communicated in a Letter by Mr. Donat Surgeon to the Army in Italy, relating to a Man’s Conception.

I am at this very time employ’d in tending a Person of Quality that’s come a great way off.  In the right Side of his Scrotum he had a great Lump, bigger than the Head of a Child; which I cut off, and afterwards ty’d up the Spermatick Artery.  This Lump was a Mass of Flesh, all over Spermatick, and very Solid, with very hard Bones in every part.  ’Twas contain’d in an After-birth with a great deal of Water.  The Spermatick Vessels which perform’d the Office of those we call Umbilical, were overgrown much beyond their Natural size.  The Circumstances that occasion’d this Generation, confirms the Effect that follow’d.  In June last, the Gentleman us’d a great deal of Liberty with a certain Lady, without coming to actual Enjoyment; upon which he was seiz’d with a cutting pain in the right Testicle, which after two Hours became insensible.  In process of time a Tumour rose by degrees, which was joined to the Testicle, and was as big as a Turkey’Egg.  The 8th of December last, this Gentleman came hither incognito; but put off the Operation ’till this time, by reason of the cold Season.  In the mean time the Swelling increas’d so much, that the Scrotum being uncapable of a greater Extension; it reach’d all over the Groin, and I had a great deal of trouble in tying the Spermatick Vessels at Rings of the Abdomen.  This is an Experiment that shews, that the whole Substance of Man is contain’d in the Male Seed; and that Women furnish only the Vessel, and the Substance of Growth and Nourishment.  I have preserv’d this Production to justify the Truth of my Assertion.

Donat.

Sisteron, May the 3d. 1697.

FINIS.