[90] Henle stated that fine hairs are frequently visible on the nymphae; Stieda (Zeitschrift fuer Morphologie, 1902, p. 458) remarks that he has never been able to see them with the naked eye.

[91] R.L.  Dickinson, “Hypertrophies of the Labia Minora and Their Significance,” American Gynaecologist, September, 1902.  It is perhaps noteworthy that Bergh found that in 302 cases in which the nymphae were of unequal length, in all but 24 the left was longer.

[92] It may be remarked that Bergh believes that the nymphae, and indeed the external genitals generally, are congenitally more strongly developed in libidinous persons, and at the same time in brunettes, while in public prostitutes this is not usually the case, which confirms the belief that exalted sexual sensibility does not usually lead to prostitution.  He adds that prostitution, unless carried on for many years, has little effect on the shape of the external genitals.

[93] Schurig (Muliebria, 1729, Section II, cap.  II) gives numerous quotations on this point; thus De Graaf wrote in his book on the sexual organs of women:  “Tales protuberantiae nymphae appellantur ea propter quod aquis e vesica prosilientibus proxime adstare reperiantur, quandoquidem inter illas, tanquam duos parietes, urina magno impetu cum sibilo saepe et absque labiorum irrigatione erumpit, vel quod sint castitatis praesides, aut sponsam primo intromittant.”

[94] Havelock Ellis, “The Bladder as a Dynamometer,” American Journal of Dermatology, May, 1902.  If a woman who has never been pregnant, standing in the erect position before commencing the act of urination presses apart the labia minora with index and middle fingers the stream will be projected forward so as to fall usually at a considerable distance in front of a vertical line from the meatus; if when the act is half completed the fingers are removed, the labia close together and the stream, though maintained at a constant pressure, at once changes its character and direction.

[95] In poetry this term was employed by Plautus, Pseudolus, Act IV, Sc. 7.  The Greek aidoion sometimes meant vagina and sometimes the external sexual parts; kolpos was used for the vagina alone.

[96] It is curious, however, that the European physicians of the seventeenth and even eighteenth centuries were doubtful of its value as a sign of virginity and considered it often absent.

[97] For a summary of the beliefs and practices of various peoples with regard to the hymen and virginity see Ploss and Bartels, Das Weib, vol. i, Chapter XVI.

II

The Object of Detumescence—­Erogenous Zones—­The Lips—­The Vascular
Characters of Detumescence—­Erectile Tissue—­Erection in Woman—­Mucous
Emission in Women—­Sexual Connection—­The Human Mode of
Intercourse—­Normal Variations—­The Motor Characters of