RESPIRATION. 



621 



The quantity of gas obtained from the Seine water was, at an 

 average, 0-0275 of its bulk, or not quite ^th part ; the average 

 quantity of oxygen which this gas contained was 0'310. 



From these experiments it appears, that the respiration of fishes 

 differs very much from that of other animals. The oxygen is 

 not merely converted into carbonic acid, as happens during the 

 respiration of men and the larger animals ; but a portion of it 

 is absorbed and introduced into the system. A portion also of 

 azote is absorbed. The quantity of air consumed by fishes is ex- 

 tremely small, when compared with that consumed by terrestrial 

 animals. This will appear from the following table, in which 

 the bulk of the air consumed, and of the carbonic acid formed 

 in an hour, is stated in cubic inches : 



* The numbers in this table indicate cubic centimetres, 

 is equal to 0-0610 of a cubic inch. 



A cubic centimetre 



