Problems of Reproduction.—The problems of reproduction are extremely broad, involving not only the immediate questions of individual reproduction, but also those broader and deeper ones which relate to heredity.
A New Life, By Chance.—It is a most astonishing fact that nearly all persons born into the world are given life as the result of chance rather than by careful design. "If my parents had only known!" is the frightful wail of many a wretched life.
To Create is Divine.—At no time does man come so near being omnipotent as when, by the tremendous powers given him, a new life is called into existence. And yet, whether strong or weak, refreshed or exhausted, healthy or diseased, sober or intoxicated, sweet or ill-tempered, yielding or resisting, a new life is begun which may be either of two extremes. How great are such questions! The human mind seems appalled when asked to consider them.
Education on These Subjects Necessary.—It is not the purpose of this book to moralize upon these themes, or to say what should and should not be done; but knowing something of the wretchedness of womankind, and the fearful slavery she often has to endure, I can only hope, with all my heart, that the coming generation may be better educated on these most important topics. It is with a thought or two of this kind in mind that I append the following brief outline of this subject:—
Two Sexes Necessary.—In the higher animals two sexes are necessary for the reproduction of the race, the male and the female. Each contributes some particular element toward the beginning of a new life; this is known as the germ-cell.
The Germ-Cells.—The germ-cells of the male are called spermatozoa, and those of the female, ova. The reproductive process is simply a fusion, or union of these male and female germ-cells.
The Male Elements.—The spermatozoa are exceedingly delicate and minute; they constitute the greatest part of the semen, or sperm. They are peculiar shaped bodies, having a head, body, and tail, as illustrated in the accompanying figure, and they can only be seen by powerful magnifying glasses. ([Fig. 1.])
Fig. 1. At the left are six spermatozoa, or male-elements,
male germ-cells. At the right is an ovum, egg, female germ-cell.
All highly magnified.