e birth of two children at the same
time, differing much in their degree of maturity, or in two separate
births, with a considerable interval between. The possibility of the
occurrence of superfoetation has been doubted, but there are
well-authenticated cases which countenance the theory of a double
conception. It has been shown that the os uteri is not closed, as was
once supposed, immediately _on conception_. Should an ovum escape into
the uterus, it may become impregnated a month or so after a previous
conception. The most probable explanation is that the case has been one
of twins, one being born prematurely; or, on the other hand, the uterus
may have been double, and conception may have taken place in one cornu
at a later period than in the other cornu.

XXXIII.--INHERITANCE

In order to inherit, the child must be born alive, must be born during
the lifetime of the mother, and must be born capable of inheriting--that
is to say, monsters are incapable of inheriting. There is a mode of
inheritance called 'tenancy by courtesy.' When a man marries a woman
possessed of an estate or inheritance, and has, by her, issue born alive
in her lifetime capable of inheriting her estate, in this case he shall,
on the death of his wife, hold the lands for his life as tenant by the
courtesy of England. The meaning of the words 'born alive' in this
instance is not the same as in cases of infanticide. In Civil law any
motion of the child's body, however slight, or the fact of it having
been heard to cry by witnesses, is held to be sufficient proof of the
child having been born alive. It may die immediately afterwards, and it
is not necessary that the child be viable.

XXXIV.--IMPOTENCE AND STERILITY

In the male, impotence may arise from physical or mental causes. The
physical causes may be--too great or too tender an age; malformation of
the genital organs; _crypsorchides_, defect or disease in the testicles;
constitutional disease (diabetes, neurasthenia, etc.); or debility from
acute disease, as mumps. Masturbation, and early and excessive sexual
indulgence, are also causes. The mental causes include--passion,
timidity, apprehension, aversion, and disgust. The case will be
remembered of the man who was impotent unless the lady were attired in a
black silk dress and high-heeled French kid boots.

If a man is impotent when he marries, the marriage may be set aside on
the ground that it had never been consummated.