[Man-of-the-Wold]

I think the term is "multiply" not "reproduce," which by itself would not necessarily entail the same sort of biological processes. "Multiply" is even more generaly.

As Orcs may not suffer from natural death, that would contribute to their geometric rate of growth, but Elves don't really multiply very effectively either. Also, I think it is fair to say that Orcs may die disportionately from the violence that they elicit from their own kind and from other people. Orc lives seem pretty cheap and easily lost.

So, I would still speculate that part of what makes the dark powers powerful is their ability to raise large number of Orcs in a way that is not necessarily accomplished by natural, instinctive spawning.

Also, I would not want to imply that Humans or even primates are the only ones who do conscientious work in raising their young. Look at Birds. But this in no way seems to help out the case for our dear Orcs, who are evil and incapable of "nuturing" in a way that no normal animal would be.

So, while the image of Orkian intercourse is repulsive, and probably inconscienable for someone like JRRT, the thought of pregnant Orcs and young being reared is ludicrous.

One must rather envision an ant-farm, maggots or Frog-like system, by which an organism is seeded and develops in a self-automated fashion.