44
HINDOO THEORY OF CREATION.
[Chap. III.
owe their formation to the mother. The development of the body, its complexion, power, and condition are the products of chyle ; while know- ledge, perception, life, happiness, and misery are the functions that come into operation under the direct influence of the soul. The Hindoo medical works mention the possibility of a woman uniting with another woman in sexual embrace and begetting a boneless foetus. They also believe that a woman under certain conditions may become pregnant by the influence of dreaming ; and they thus explain their belief in such unnatural births as of serpents, scorpions and the like. In such a case both the woman and her production are looked upon as very sinful.
