Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 096.djvu/216

Rh next the bladder, but rendered a separate lobe by two fissures on its opposite surface. Its ducts passed directly through the coats of the bladder, on which it lay, and opened immediately behind the verumontanum. By means of this lobe a circular aperture is formed in the prostate gland, which gives passage to the vasa deferentia.

The appearance of this lobe has been since examined in a subject 24 years of age, and it was found still larger and more distinct. A representation of it is given in the annexed Plate.

Previous to this investigation it was not known to me that any distinct portion of the prostate gland was situated between the vasa deferentia and the bladder. These ducts were considered to pass in the sulcus between its two posterior portions., in close contact with the body of the gland. This account corresponds also with the description given by and ; it is however now proved to be erroneous. It is not in my power to determine whether all the anatomists of the present day have fallen into this error in the same degree with myself: but none of them have pointed out this lobe; and, therefore, in whatever way they have described the vasa deferentia to pass into the bladder, they have neither anticipated nor thrown any light on the present inquiry. says expressly, that "the prostate gland has no lobular appearance," and the anxiety which all anatomists have to improve their art, would have led them to correct this error, had they discerned that it was one.

This newly acquired anatomical fact enables us very clearly