378 THE ALBATROSS. 



ance, which could be distinctly traced, emerging 

 from the gland ; it was about a line, or rather 

 more, in thickness, and, tracing its course, I 

 found it proceeded in a straight direction, and 

 then had an almost imperceptible inclination 

 upwards, until I lost it among the cellular sub- 

 stance of the upper mandible, (to which it was 

 attached partially, if not entirely,) rather more 

 than an inch from the base of the bill ; the 

 length of the duct, as far as traced, was one 

 inch and seven-eighths. I made a drawing of 

 the preparation. 



An interesting subject next for inquiry is, 

 what this gland secretes, and what is its use in 

 that situation ? which at present cannot be an- 

 swered. 



Some of these birds, when brought on board, 

 will throw up a quantity of foetid oily fluid and 

 undigested food, becoming " sea-sick," as it is 

 usually termed ; such, however, is not invariably 

 the case, as numbers are brought on board 

 who are not guilty of such indecorous conduct, 

 but it always happens when any of the petrel 

 tribe are captured. 



Although accustomed to dissect several of the 

 oceanic birds which were captured on board, still 

 I cannot refrain from making some remarks on 

 the cruelty of those who pass away a leisure 



