182 CLASS REPTILIA. 



of this fluid which flowed from the grand artery was very 

 small indeed. 



We shall conclude these general observations on the sau- 

 rians, which have already, perhaps, been too far extended, 

 by noticing a singular fact not before mentioned, and which 

 serves to explain some peculiar phenomena in these reptiles, 

 which had hitherto remained incompletely developed by our 

 modern physiologists. The phenomena in question we have 

 mentioned before, namely, the capacity of these animals to 

 continue so long without sustenance, and the yearly lethargy 

 into which they fall, and which is infinitely more profound 

 than the hybernal sleep of some mammifera. Even yet our 

 curiosity is not completely satisfied on these tv/o points ; but 

 until the researches of M. L. Jacobson, of the academy of 

 Copenhagen, our acquaintance with their nature was very 

 slender indeed. Nothing was demonstrated concerning the 

 nature of that arrangement of organization on which they 

 might be supposed to depend. 



After some particular researches the learned Danish anato- 

 mist, whom we have just cited, recognized in the reptiles a 

 special arrangement of certain vessels, which constitutes a 

 peculiar venous system. 



Nature has established this system in all reptiles in a 

 manner more or less marked. The rudiments of it are to 

 be found in the tortoises and crocodiles — but it is only in 

 the other saurians, the ophidians, and batracians, that it is 

 completely developed. 



It is composed of the veins of the abdominal members, the 

 pelvian or caudal veins, the hinder veins of the kidneys, the 

 veins of the oviductus, a great portion of the veins of the 

 skin, of those of the muscles of the abdomen, and of those of 

 certain organs peculiar to the reptiles. These veins combine, 

 and form one or many trunks, which proceed either into the 

 vena porta, or the liver, or into both. What especially dis- 



