Ifi^ PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONg. [aNNO I667, 



The fifth explains the communion of vessels in embryos ; in whom he says, 

 three anastomoses are usually observed, which as soon as the foetus is born are 

 closed. They are called foramen ovale, canalis arteriosus, and venosus. The 

 two former to be met with about the heart ; the last in the liver. All three 

 here described by the author, who also compares, as Harvey does, the foetus yet 

 in the womb with the manner of operation of those animals that are provided 

 but with one cavity in the heart and with no lungs ; the blood of the foetus, as 

 long as it is unborn, passing neither through the parenchyma of the lungs, nor 

 that of the liver. Lastly, The necessity of respiration is explicated, and how 

 the defect of lungs, and of one of the ventricles of the heart, is supplied in 

 fishes, viz. by comminuting and mixing the blood in the gills. To which is 

 annexed the manner of respiration in amphibia which are furnished with lungs 

 and two ventricles of the heart, and yet, if Bartholin misinforms us not, keep 

 the foramen ovale all their lifetime open ; which yet our author calls in ques- 

 tion, alleging to have seen no diving animals which had not the said fora-r 

 men closed after their being born. 



The sixth makes a digression, to discourse of the biolychnium, and the in-r 

 gress of the air into the blood, for the generation of spirits, and the pretended 

 kindling of a vital flame. But our author can see nothing that may prove 

 either the existence or the necessity of such a flame. He does not question 

 whether air is received into the mass of blood, but only doubts whether through 

 the lungs there be a high way for the air to the blood. 



After this our author gives his thoughts both of the true use of the lungs 

 and of sanguification. 



The lungs, he says, serve chiefly, by their constant agitation, to comminute 

 the blood, and so to render it fit for a due circulation ; which office he thinks 

 to be performed in fishes by the continual motion of their gills, a succedaneum 

 to lungs. 



Sanguification, according to him, is chiefly performed and perfected by the 

 frequent pulsions of the heart, and the repeated contractions of its left ventri- 

 cle at the passing of the sanguineous liquor from thence into the aorta. 



The seventh and last chapter contains a direction for the younger anatomists, 

 of what is to be observed in the dissection of divers animals with young : and 

 first, of what is common to all the viviparous ; then, what is peculiar to several 

 of them, as a sow, mare, cow, ewe, she-goat, doe, rabbit, bitch, and a wo- 

 man: lastly, what is observable in an eel, skate, salmon, frog, &c. Tha 

 whole is illustrated by many accurate engravings. 



