EFFECTS OF THIRST, ETC., ON TE S TUD 0^ P L YP H E MTJ S. 61 



water is very small in comparison with that of other terrapins. A large proportion 

 of the weight of these animals, which is lost during starvation, is pure water. 



These are wonderful and manifest provisions of the Great Architect, adapting 

 this reptile for habitation in a barren, sandy country, where it is often impos- 

 sible to obtain water, and where vegetation is scarce. The colon contains a store 

 of vegetable food, which replaces the wastes of the blood and tissues during long 

 seasons of drought. The vegetable matters of the colon also supply the place 

 of the masses of fat found in the abdominal cavities of many Chelonians, Ophi- 

 dians, and Saurians. We have never noticed this in the Gopher (Testudo poly- 

 phemus) . 



35. Blood of a male Gopher (Testudo pohjpliemus), which had been deprived of 

 food and drink for fifty-one days. September 15. 



Weight, August 9 ...... 21.485 grains. 



September 15 . . . . . . 18.127 " 



Loss of weight iu thirty-seven clays .... 3.358 " 



Loss of weight daily, OOy 7 /'^ grains. Loss of weight hourly, ycVi^h of its 

 original weight. During 51 days of thirst and starvation, this Gopher lost from 

 one-fourth to one-fifth of its original weight. 



During this time it discharged several excrements, but no urine. The Terrapins 

 were usually kept in boxes, and examined daily, so that any discharge from the 

 rectum or bladder could not pass unnoticed. During our experiments, not one of 

 the Chelonians voided their urine, so that all these weights represent only the 

 amounts of organic matters and water thrown off by the lungs and the surface of 

 the body. 



At the end of fifty one days of starvation, this Gopher, with several others con- 

 fined for a similar length of time, still possessed fife and activity, and were capable 

 of considerable muscular effort. 



The quantity of blood had not diminished to any great extent. 



Solid constituents iu 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 and fibrin 

 Solid constituents of serum 



1000 parts of blood contained- 



Water . 



Moist blood-corpuscles 314.20 < 



(.Solid constituents 



Liquor sanguinis 685.80 ■<_,.,' 



(.Solid constituents 



170.23 



99.50 



91.68 



929.77 



900.50 



829.77 

 78.55 

 91.68 



235.65 

 78.55 



594.12 

 91. 6S 



The colon was occupied by a considerable amount of vegetable matters satu- 



