BLOOD OF CHELONIANS. 



11 



The blood was much more abundant than in a male Alligator, which was cap- 

 tured in the same locality in the mouth of March, and kept without food or drink 

 for three weeks. It also did not coagulate so rapidly. 



From the starved Alligator, not more than three fluidounces of blood, with care, 

 could be collected, the veins and arteries of the neck having been opened whilst 

 the animal was living. Although the subject of experiment had been shot for 

 half an hour, still the blood flowed from the jugular veins and carotid arteries in 

 rapid streams, and more than ten fluidounces were readily obtained. 



The hole of this Alligator was in the bank of a small stream, which flowed 

 through an extensive salt marsh, abounding with small Fishes and Crustaceans. 

 This reptile, thei-efore, was abundantly supplied with food. 



Specific gravity of defibrinated blood 

 Solid constituents in 1000 parts of blood 

 " " " serum 



in serum of 1000 parts of blood 

 "Water in 1000 parts of blood 

 " " serum 



1000 parts of blood contained — 



Water ...... 



Blood-corpuscles (dried organic constituents) 



Albumen 



Fibrin .... 



Water and alcohol extractive 



Fatty matter 



Fixed saline constituents 



1000 parts of blood contained — 



(W r atcr 



Moist blood-corpuscles 364.08 



(Solid constituents 



Liquor sanguinis 



635.92 \ Water ■ 



(Solid constituents 



1046 



176.14 



90.80 



82.05 



823.86 



909.20 



823.86 

 86.39 

 63.75 

 3.07 

 9.26 

 5.02 

 8.65 



273.06 

 91.02 



550.80 

 85.12 



Blood of Chelonians. 



10. Chelouia, carctta, Linnams. Loggerhead Turtle. July 20. 



The blood was examined two days after its capture. During this time, it was 

 kept in a tub of salt water, and supplied with small Fishes. 



The blood first drawn coagulated more slowly than that drawn last. 



Portions of the blood were placed in several vessels and allowed to coagulate; 

 and, in every instance, the blood-corpuscles settled to the bottom of the vessel, 

 leaving above a transparent clot. 



When first abstracted, it was of a dark red color, not so black as venous, but 

 much darker than the arterial blood of warm-blooded animals. This is readily 

 explained when we consider that -the venous and arterial blood is mixed in the 

 ventricle of the heart. 



The reaction of the blood was slightly alkaline. 



Whilst taking the specific gravity of the serum, which had been separated from 



