This is the Subject Dr Allen speaks of in the Transactions, which has been taken notice of before in this Treatise, that was carried to Flanders, and shewed to our Author; now whosoever will be at the Pains to compare the Descriptions given by both these Authors, which they had only from the Mouth of her Keeper, will see how they differ, and consequently what Untruths proceed from Hearsay; now after all these Things, our Author makes this Conclusion of his own Accord[118]:
‘From all which it is plain, that these Kind of Hermaphrodites do not partake of both Sexes, but are only Women, whose Parts of Generation are illy formed, that is, the Testes have descended out of the Abdomen, and the Clitoris is grown too large.’
It would have been much more to the Credit of this Author to have subscribed to this Doctrine at once, without endeavouring to maintain, in so uncertain a Manner, any Thing that had the least Hint towards allowing a Perforation in the Clitoris, or a virile Nature to a Woman, and so suddenly to quit and contradict his former Opinion, in his Histories and Animadversions on them, which must be very obvious to any one that will allow himself Time and Liberty to consider the Animal Oeconomy, and the Laws of Nature, as far as they respect human Bodies.
Dr DOUGLAS.
The Explanation of the Figures in the following large Plate, which this most consummate Anatomist has favoured me with, are sufficient to shew, that these Sort of Subjects are, in his Opinion, Females in all Respects. The first Figure he had delineated from the Angolan in a most accurate Manner; and the other two were done some time ago, as appears by his Explanation; of both which he had given Copies to the ingenious Mr Cheselden, which he has in his Book of Anatomy.
In making these Figures, the Doctor, according to his accustomed Accuracy, avoids the Omission which De Graaf is guilty of; for though the latter’s Dissection and Description of the Subject that came before him are very satisfactory, in proving it Female, yet inasmuch as he has not shewed any Part of the Orificium Vaginæ in his Figure, it is not so much to the Purpose as those of Dr Douglas.
This Woman was carried from Angola in Africa, amongst other Slaves, to America, from whence she was brought to Bristol. She is about six and twenty Years old, has no Beard on her Chin, nor any Thing masculine in her Countenance; her Arms above the Elbow are thick and fleshy, as many Womens are, but soft; her Breasts are small, her Voice effeminate in the common Tone of speaking, and it was reported she has often been lain with by Men; and as to the Parts of Generation, they are so justly described in the following Explanation, that the Reader is referred to that.
A View of the external Parts of Generation in the African Woman, that was brought lately from Angola, exactly delineated from the Life, and well engraven.
FIG. I.