CHAPTER XIV.

THE CHANGES WHICH PRECEDE, ATTEND AND FOLLOW CHILDBIRTH.

Wonderful adaptation of body of the mother to reproduction.--How wonderful a watch which could oil, repair and produce other watches, and keep accurate time.--Wonders of reproduction seen in the flower.--Death defeated and extinction prevented by reproduction.--The agony of splendor which attends the period of fertilization of the flowers.--After fertilization the flower fades.--Similar changes in human life.--Illustrated in the birds.--The changes in appearance and demeanor more marked in the female.--The greater changes within the mother's body.--How conception takes place.--Why two parents instead of one.--The womb seems almost instinct with intelligence.--No spermatozoAśn or ovum retained unless the two have united.--The changes which take place in the ovum.--Its reception and royal cradle in the womb.--The cradle enlarged with the growth of its occupant.--In the minute egg are ingrained the characteristics of the man or woman that is to be.--How the germ is at first nourished.--The formation of the placenta and its office, 216