196 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



" Liebig says, * Two animals, which in 

 equal times take up by means of the lungs 

 and skin* unequal quantities of oxygen, 

 consume quantities of the same nourishment 

 which are unequal in the same ratio. 



** * The consumption of oxygen in equal 

 times may be expressed by the number of 

 respirations : it is clear that in the same 

 individual the quantity of nourishment 

 required must vary with the force and 

 number of the respirations. 



" *A child, in whom the organs of respira- 

 tion are naturally very active, requires food 

 oftener than an adult, and bears hunger less 

 easily. A bird deprived of food dies on the 

 third day, while a serpent, with its sluggish 

 respiration, can live without food three 

 months or longer. 



" * The number of respirations is less in a 

 state of rest than during exercise or work. 

 The quantity of food necessary in both 

 conditions must vary in the same ratio. 



* As hounds do not perspire through the skin, I 

 apprehend they do not consume oxygen through 

 that medium : hence a reason why the efforts of 

 the lungs are so laborious when protracted exertions 

 call them into increased action. 



