1G 
GARNET. 
before stated it appears to be incapable. But such a power 
of inflation must contribute greatly to lessen the concussion 
in its rapid descent upon water in order to seize its prey. 
Besides, as the enlargement of the surface, without materially 
adding to the specific gravity, must greatly contribute to 
its buoyancy both in air and water, it is well adapted for 
residing in the midst of the most tempestuous sea, floating 
on its surface in the most perfect security, and following 
those shoals of fishes on which depends its whole existence. 
Thus when all other birds are compelled to seek shelter in 
bays and creeks, the Gannet is enabled to brave the severest 
weather in all seasons without attempting to near the shore. 
This contrivance may also be of the most important service 
to an animal which is constantly exposed, even in the most 
inclement season, and cannot quit its station without starving. 
Nothing could possibly conduce more to its security against 
intense cold, or be better adapted to preserve the necessary 
temperature of animal heat, than the intermediate air dis¬ 
persed between the skin and the body, since that element 
is found to be a non-conductor of caloric. Upon this principle, 
what animal can be more securely protected against cold, 
or retain its vital heat so effectually as the Gannet of such 
birds as are almost surrounded with a body of confined air, 
divided by cells, and intersected by membranes between the 
skin and the body, and that skin so amply covered with a 
light porous substance filled also with air and impervious to 
water. The Gannet is capable of containing about three 
full inspirations of the human lungs divided into three equal 
portions, the cellular parts under the skin on each side 
holding nearly as much as the cavity of the body. 
Now as a full or extraordinary inspiration of the human 
lungs has been considered to occupy a space of about sixty 
cubic inches, (‘Philosophical Transactions,’ volume lxix, page 
349,) so the Gannet is capable of containing not less than 
one hundred and eighty cubic inches of air at one time, 
subject to the will of the bird under certain impressions.’ 
These birds roost on rocks along the coast, or on lonely 
islets in the open sea, or on the water itself in default of 
the former. Vast numbers congregate together. The follow¬ 
ing occurrence was recorded in the ‘Sherborne Journal:’— 
‘A servant of the Rev. F. J. C. Trenon, Rector of Langton, 
observed, on the 23rd. ultimo, an unusual commotion among 
the Swans in the Fleet, near Langton, which proved to be 
