ORDER SAURIA. 183 



tinguishes this system is, that in it a part of the veins of the 

 organs of locomotion, and of the skin, proceed to distribute 

 themselves into the liver. There is no other example of this 

 among the vertebrated animals. 



Certain special organs appear connected with this venous 

 system in a peculiar manner, and are regarded by M. Jacob- 

 son as proper for secreting and preserving a nutritive juice 

 destined to be reabsorbed in the rigorous months of the severe 

 season, during the hybernal slumber of these animals. These 

 organs are formed of two membranaceous and vascular sacs, 

 which are situated at the lower part of the abdomen, between 

 the muscles and the peritoneum. In the ophidians, in which 

 these had been remarked, though but imperfectly described 

 before the time of M. Jacobson, they constitute two fatty 

 bodies, which occupy the anterior paries of the abdomen, 

 and receive the arteries even of the aorta, while the veins 

 v/hich originate from them constitute a part of the system in 

 question. 



In the saurians these organs are smaller, and situated lower 

 down. They also appear to become developed only at a cer- 

 tain period of the life of the animal. Be this, however, as it 

 may, the venous system of which we speak varies conside- 

 rably. 



To compose it, all the veins of the muscles, and of the 

 skin of the pelvian extremities, enter by different apertures 

 into the cavity of the pelvis, and reunite there in two trunks, 

 which join on each side with the hinder renal vein. This 

 last is peculiar to the reptiles, commences in the kidney, by 

 roots which have no communication with those of the other 

 renal veins, and accompanying the sciatic nerve, proceeds 

 along the external edge of the kidney, receiving in its progress 

 the veins of the oviductus, and the subcutaneous dorsal veins, 

 as far as the cavity of the pelvis, where it unites with the 

 trunk formed by tlie crural veins, to proceed to the lower 



