-^ SCIENTIFIC XEWS. 



the filaments bordering its tentacula were so many suckers; 

 and that the nourishment drawn in by them was received 

 into a central cavity, whence it was distributed to the whole 

 body by an infinite number of vessels disposed with great 

 regularity, and particularly numerous about the edges of 

 the umbrella. The four apertures at the sides of the base 

 of the pedicle appeared to Mr. Cuvier to be the organs of 

 respiration. Mr. P. on the contrary, having seen many liv- 

 ing rhtzostomes take in small animals by these four aper- 

 jtures, and digest them in the four. cavities to which they 

 lead, presumes that they are four mouths, and as many sto- 

 machs; while the great vascular apparatus, that fills the 

 pedicle and the borders of the umbrella, is more probably 

 appropriated to respiration, as it is almost always found full 

 of air. 

 Skeletons of Mr. Cuvier read a paper on certain reptiles, the skele- 

 animals found tons f w hi cn are found in strata of our globe. These had 

 all been taken for crocodiles, and even for the species com- 

 mon in the Ganges, the gavial; but the lacerta monitor is 

 also among them, and those that most resemble the gavial 

 have striking characteristics to distinguish them. All of 

 them are found in strata much deeper, and consequently 

 more ancient, than those that contain bones of land quad» 

 Bonesof&large rupeds. The environs of Maestricht conceal the bones of 

 momto! lizaid, a p ar g e animal of this family, which some have taken for a 

 "' crocodile, others for a fish. Mr. C. attempted to show, 

 that this also was a lacerta monitor, but it is the giant of 

 its kind. It measures in length upward of eight metre* 

 [2(i feet]. Its tail, much shorter in proportion, but broader, 

 than that of other species, formed a powerful oar; and 

 An inhabitant every thing renders it probable, that it had sufficient 

 of : he sea. strength, and was so good a swimmer, as to live amid the 

 waves of the ocean. Its bones too are found with those of 

 large sea turtle, and among thousands of sea shells. 

 Fossile bones Mr. Jefferson, President of the United States, has sent 

 from America. t}ie class a fine collection of fossil bones dug up on the 

 banks of the Ohio. The greater number belong to the 

 large animal improperly called mammoth by the Americans, 

 and to which Mr. Cuvier has given the name of mastodonte: 

 but there arc likewise some belonging to the true mammoth 



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