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THIS Natural Conception then, is the first principal Action, and peculiar Function of the Womb, in duly commixing and fomenting the retain’d Seeds of Man and Woman: Since as the Seed of Plants requires the Matrix of the Earth, to nourish it well, and safely defend it; so doth That Seminal Virtue of Men, the Womb, in this Act of CONCEPTION.

BUT as to the Time of CONCEPTION, I cannot but differ from Those, who protract and put it off till the seventh Day from the first Seminal Retention, for I am clearly of Opinion with Lud. Mercatus^[52], that if the Seed be retain’d seven Hours, the Woman hath Conceiv’d: Neither can I find sufficient Reason to think Nature one Moment Idle, much less seven Days. Therefore CONCEPTION ought to be reckoned, from the very Day^[53] of the First Retention.

HOWEVER yet, it is certain that, if the Debility of the Seed, or Womb, or Both, happen to hinder or impugn the Work, Nature ejects the Genitura, or Thing conceiv’d, on the seventh Day; which Time is the common Crisis of all Diseases, and Morbifick Accidents: Whereas if no such Effluxion happens about that Time, CONCEPTION^[54] is certain, and Formation goes on.