8 



BLOOD OF OPHIDIANS. 



had also swallowed, apparently along with the snake, a bunch of shank grass. 

 Although this large frog had been captured for more than seventeen hours, and 

 retained alive in water, the exterior part only of the body of the serpent showed 

 the action of the gastric juice. The stomach contained none of the chyme so often 

 referred to by writers on digestion. We have repeatedly examined the stomachs 

 of Alligators, other Reptiles, and Fishes, and warm-blooded animals, during diges- 

 tiorvj and we have never in any instance found a large amount of fluid either in the 

 stomach or intestines. The products of digestion are absorbed almost as fast as 

 they are formed. 



The portions of blood first drawn coagulated more slowly than those drawn last. 

 After the blood had flowed for a few moments, it coagulated as soon as it left the 

 wound. The coagulum formed in the different portions of blood embraced most of 

 the blood-corpuscles, and yielded clear serum. 



In every instance, after standing for a few hours, the fibrin entirely disappeared, 

 the clot was dissolved, and the blood-corpuscles set free. 



The coagulum formed in the blood of the frog was firmer than that of Fishes, 

 but not so firm as that of Serpents and Terrapins and the higher orders of vertebrate 

 animals. 



The color of the blood was purplish-red, intermediate between that of venous 

 and arterial blood in Birds and Mammals. 

 The serum was of a light yellow color. 



The strength of the Frog was exhausted more rapidly by the loss of blood than 

 that of Serpents and Chelonians. 



Solid constituents in 1000 parts of blood 

 " " " serum 



" " in serum of 1000 parts of blood 



Water in 1000 parts of blood 

 " " serum 



161.49 

 61.93 

 54.96 

 832.51 

 938.01 



1000 parts of blood contained — ■ 



Water ......... 832.51 



Blood-corpuscles (dried organic constituents) . . . .108.68 



Albumen, extractive and fatty matters . . . . .53.03 



Fibrin .... Unstable, readily convertible into albumen 



Fixed saline constituents . . . . . .5.18 



1000 parts of blood contained — 



Moist blood-corpuscles 450.12 -f^^*^^ .... 331.59 



(.Solid constituents . . . 112.53 



Liquor sanguinis 549.88 ^ ' 



(Soli 



(Water .... 494.92 



id constituents . . . 54.96 



Blood of Ophidians. 



5. Heterodon platyrliinos, Latreille (female). Hog-nose Viper. June 8. * 

 The alimentary canal was completely empty, and the rectum contained fjBcal 



matter in small amount. All the blood that could be obtained with the greatest 



care was 33 grains. 



