24 LUNGS OF BIRDS*. 



in the vent. The liver is large, and com- 

 posed of two lobes. That of the goose, 

 when enlarged by disease artificially in- 

 duced, is a luxury highly prized by epicures. 

 The pancreas is a long and narrow gland. 

 The spleen is small, and lies between the 

 stomach and left lobe of the lungs. 



The lungs are large, and fill up the spaces 

 between the ribs, and have large cavities 

 communicating with the bones, and extend- 

 ing even to the quills. This arrangement 

 tends to make the bird lighter, and to assist 

 it in flying. An experiment is noticed by 

 authors to show how complete and exten- 

 sive is this connexion between the bones and 

 the lungs. One of the wing-bones of a her- 

 on was broken and the windpipe stopped ; 

 breathing was carried on a whole day 

 through the broken limb. The kidneys form 

 a row of irregular lobes on each side of the 

 lumbar vertebra?, and fill up cavities in the 

 haunch or side-bones ; a short tube leads 

 from each to the vent. The urine is white 

 and chalky. The testicles lie across the 

 spine, one before the other, and a*e of a 



