 What is the significance of the Maternite?
"Sias," they were saying, "the Maternite's gone." Everything has evaporated in Maternite. Indeed, the watcher is more a tradition than a necessity. Prayers and supplications were offered to the gods, priests were sent to sacrifice, and finally, as the light of the sun was falling between the pillars, the High Priest of the Maternite Machine was heard. And indeed, if they had Maternite Machines, why then we would yet have these animals among us." And is there not a legend—admitted only a legend—that says there was a time before the machines, and before the Maternite Machine, and that at such a time both the animals and Men reproduced from within their own bodies?"
 It determines how many children will be born in the span of a year
 It determines how many children will be born in the span of a year  It reduces the prevalence of female biological sex organs  It produces enough breastmilk to sustain newborn infants  It decides which of the elders will be sacrificed to the gods