82 



EFFECTS OF TIIIRST, ETC., ON EMYS SERRATA. 



drawn, gave a specific gravity of 1014, whilst that of a latter period, contain- 

 ing numerous blood corpuscles, gave a specific gravity of only 1012.9. 



The arteries and veins had lost their elasticity, owing to the great pressure 

 caused by the unusual amount of blood which they contained. After its removal 

 they were unable to contract, and were found distended with air throughout all 

 portions of the body. Even the heart contained air in its cavities. This pheno- 

 menon has never been witnessed in Terrapins fed upon animal food. 



The tissues generally were relaxed, resembling those of a dropsical patient. 



The shell had become much softer in its texture, the necessary amount of earthy 

 salts not having been supplied by the Purslain {Portulacca oleracca). 



The whole amount of blood obtained was much greater than that of Terrapins 

 which were examined immediately after their capture, and which had been living 

 in a normal manner. 



Amount of blood obtained, about 

 " " serous fluid from the tissues 



Specific gravity of the blood 



" " first portions of serum 



last 

 " " serous fluid from tissues 



2000 grains. 

 2420 



1029.6 " 

 1014 



1012.9 " 

 1005.9 " 



The bladder contained a large quantity of light yellow transparent urine, having 

 a specific gravity not much higher than that of water. 



Solid constituents in 1000 parts of blood 

 " " " serum 



" " 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, fatty and extractive matter 

 Fibrin ..... 

 Fixed saliue constituents 



1000 parts of blood contained — 



Moist blood-corpuscles 293.64 {^f " . " 



(Solid constituents 



Liquor sanguinis 



706.36 



(Water . 



(Solid constituents 



122.35 



51.14 



47.30 



877.65 



948.86 



877.65 



70.53 



45.38 



1.64 



4.80 



220.23 

 73.41 



657.42 

 48.94 



40. Examination of a female Emys serrata, which was starved and deprived of 

 water twenty-eight days, and then transferred to a tub of fresh water and abun- 

 dantly supplied with Purslain {Portulacca oleracca) eighty-eight days. 



Weight, when it was first captured, May 25 



" after starvation, June 21 . 

 Loss of weight during twenty-seven days of thirst and starvation 



20.372 grains. 

 15.797 

 4.575 " 



