Tractus de Hermaphrodites | Page 2

Notions of Hermaphrodites are not entirely
fictitious, I need only mention the Servant of Montuus, who took his Hermaphrodite to be
a Male when he lay with his Maids, and for a Female when she lay with her Husband to
propagate their Species, the two Hermaphrodites of Licetus, and the Story of Ausonius,
which he relates of an Hermaphrodite of Bonavento in Italy; and Histories are full of
Confirmations, that many Persons in the World have had the privy Parts of both Sexes.
For the Definition of the Word Sex, it is no other than a Distinction of Male and Female,
in which this is most observable, that for the Parts of the Body, there is but little
Difference between them; but the Females are colder than the Males, and abound with
more superfluous Moisture; wherefore their spermatick Parts are more soft and humid,
and all their natural Actions more vigorous than those of Men: But Hermaphrodites are a
mixture of both Sexes, and to both incompleat.

In all Ages Hermaphrodites have been talk'd of, though particular Vouchers have been
many times wanting, which is generally the Case where a Deficiency of the Secrets of
Nature is to be detected; the amorous Parts are certainly more valuable than any other
principal Parts of the Body, as they afford the greatest pleasure of Life; and there is
always the greatest Difficulty attends the Discoveries of Impotency, (which is less
obnoxious) and nothing but the Force of the Law executed by a lascivious Female, in the
State of Matrimony, will occasion a Record of a want of Substance for the amorous
Adventure.
It is natural to suppose, that these Persons of a mix'd Nature call'd Hermaphrodites, have
had generally more Prudence and Conduct than to marry under such Incapacities, which
would prevent an agreeable Consummation in the amorous Embrace, (however they may
sport and dally with each other) as they must expect nothing but the greatest Resentment
and highest Indignation from the Persons they have presumptuously espous'd, and must
inevitably tend to their being expos'd to the World, as Prodigies and Monsters; and they
have in Times past been the more effectually deterr'd from engaging in Matrimony, as
they were immediately on their Discovery cast into the Sea or some large Rivers, or
banish'd into some desolate Island, as presages of dire Events, and the worst of
Calamities.
But the Civil Law does not regard Hermaphrodites as Monsters, it permits them to make
a Choice of either of the two Sexes for the Business of Copulation, either in the Capacity
of Men or Women; but if the Hermaphrodite does not perform his Part agreeable to
Nature, the same Law inflicts the Punishment due to Sodomy, because he has abus'd one
Part, contrary to Matures Laws. This must be determin'd by the Predominancy of the
Parts, for there are some Hermaphrodites so very vigorous as to embrace Women, and
others whose Parts are so dispos'd as to receive with pleasure the Caresses of Men; and
where there is nothing to hinder the amorous Action, but that they are capable of enjoying
mutual Pleasure, it would be a piece of injustice to prohibit their Nuptials.
Monsieur Venette[A] tells us, that there are five kinds of Hermaphrodites: The first have
the privy Parts of a Man very entire; they make Water and Engender like other Men, but
with this difference, that they have a pretty deep Slit between the Seat and the Cod, which
is of no Use in Generation.
The second Sort have also the Parts of a Man very well proportion'd, that serve either the
Functions of Life or Generation; but they have a Slit not so deep as the first Sort, which
being in the midst of the Cods, presses the Testicles on each side.
The third Sort have no visible privy Parts of a Man, only a Slit, through which the
Hermaphrodite makes Water. This Cavity is deeper or shallower, according to the plenty
or default of Matter employ'd for the forming of it, yet one may easily find the Bottom of
it with one's Finger. The Terms never flow by this way, and this kind of Hermaphrodite is
a true Man as well as the two others above mention'd; for these sorts of Hermaphrodites
become Boys, about the Age of fifteen, in an Instant, and are as valiant in the Adventures
of Love as other Males, and this is oftentimes affected by some violent Action, as Mary
Germain, mention'd by Paræus, leaping over a Ditch, strain'd herself, and became

instantly a Man, through the coming forth of the privy Parts.
This may be a sufficient Caution to young Gentlemen not to be too hasty in their
Marriages, lest, in a vigorous Consummation with a very youthful Partner, the imaginary
Female should at