trunk, and the eyes are prominent. The chorion has lost most of its villi, and the placenta is formed. Points of ossification are present in most of the bones. Thin membranous nails appear on the fingers and Sex may be determined by presence or

toes.

absence of the uterus.

"Fourth Month.-The foetus weighs five or six ounces, and is about five inches long. Its sex is more distinct; movements are visible. The convolutions of the brain are beginning to form: ossification is extending : the placenta is increasing in size, and the cord is about twelve inches long. The head is one-fourth the length of the whole body. The sutures and fontanelles are widely separated. Hair begins to appear on the scalp. If born, the foetus may live three or four hours.

"Fifth Month.-Foetal weight has increased to ten ounces, and length to about nine inches. The head is still relatively large. Fine hair, (lanugo) appears over the whole body. Foetal movements can be felt by the mother. If born the foetus can live but a few hours.

"Sixth Month.-Weight about twenty-four ounces, length eleven inches. Fat is found in the subcutaneous cellular tissue. Hair is

darker and more abundant. The membrana pupillaris exists but the eyelids separate. If born at this time the foetus breathes freely, but life is retained only a few hours, with rare exceptions.

"Seventh Month.-Weight from three to four pounds, length fourteen to fifteen inches. The skin is wrinkled, of red color and covered with vernix caseosa. The pupillary membrane disappears. If

younger than twenty-eight weeks it is not likely to live.

"Eighth Month.-Weight from four to five pounds, length from sixteen to eighteen inches. Development is now rather in thickness than length. The nails are nearly perfect, and the lanugo is disappearing from the face. The navel is gradually approaching the centre of the body, until now it has nearly reached the median point. The cranial bones are easily molded under pressure, a point to be remembered as bearing on the question of induced labor in pelvic deformity.

"Ninth Month-or at term.-At the end of pregnancy the foetus weighs an average of six and a half or seven pounds, and measures about twenty inches in length. The average weight of mature males is greater than that of females. At birth the foetus is covered with vernix caseosa, a whitish tenacious sub

stance, composed of a mixture of surface epithelium, down and the products of sebaceous glands. During intra-uterine life it serves as a protection for the skin against the amniotic fluid. It can be removed thoroughly only by preceding the use of water by a free use of oil."

So the baby grows until it reaches intrauterine maturity, and comes into our arms for cherishing. Pity, pity the little one that comes with no love to receive it, and pity more the mother of such a child. No woman has a right to marry, unless she desires offspring and is willing to fit herself for maternity. No man has a right to take upon himself the sacred vows that make him husband, unless he comprehends all that it means, and is measurably ready to meet its duties and responsibilities. With such preparation, and such understanding upon entering matrimony, we should see a nobler, stronger race of men and women in the coming generations.

CHAPTER XIV.

BABY'S WARDROBE.

The Question That Comes with Fluttering Signs of Life.-Importance of Wise Choice of Material and Style of Dress.-The Blessedness of Mother's Joy in Preparing Baby's Clothing.-The Questions of Dress Important.-Formerly Seemingly Planned for Discomfort.-The "Binder" an Instrument of Torture.-Better Methods now Prevail. The Napkin. How to Establish Regular Habits for Baby.-The Pinning Blanket.-The Little Shirt.Baby's Earliest and Best Dress Described. The Complete Wardrobe Described.-The Furnishings of the Basket.-Things Which are not to Baby's Taste or Comfort.-The Later Wardrobe.

"WHEREWITHAL shall my baby be clothed ?" is a question that comes to every expectant mother—if her heart be filled with love for it-when she feels the first fluttering signs of life that announce to her listening heart, "Mother, I'm coming;" and she delights to prepare for her little one the softest, daintiest, richest things that her purse and time will allow. If she is not always wise in her choice of material and trimming and

style of dress, it is because of ignorance, more often than otherwise. Sometimes, we fear from pride that her baby should make as fair a show in the flesh as the babies of her friends, regardless of healthfulness or suitableness.

I would it were possible for every mother to prepare the first clothing of her coming little ones, all herself; for in such quiet times as women sit down to their needle alone, in the waiting hours, thoughts and plans and high ambitions for the little ones hold them fast, and the heart warms with each dainty stitch, while the mother love kindles and grows, and the castles are built and peopled with baby and its friends and lovers. more often than we think, the choicest, tenderest thoughts the woman is capable of, and the highest, noblest ambitions of what her baby shall be, and what she shall be to it, are sewed into the little garments, with her swiftly flying needle; and more than this, are woven into the very fibre and being of the little one.

Far

The question of the baby's dress is one of large importance, and one which in the past few years has received the attention which is its due. Formerly the comfort of the baby was little planned for; and more than that,