16 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. 

 Tims 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 t'o 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 Ixix, 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 



