OBSERVATIONS ON THE GANNET. I79 



ner, the gannet can readily disgorge the contents 

 of its stomach, (for it has no craw), to satisfy its 

 young. 



Having taken a cursory view of the natural ha- 

 bits, and the more striking external appearances 

 of this bird, I shall proceed to detail my observa- 

 tions upon the more occult properties with which 

 it is endowed, and which are apparently so admi- 

 rably adapted to its mode of life, and continued re- 

 sidence on the waters, even in the most turbulent 

 sea, and most inclement season. I must, however, 

 candidly acknowledge myself inadequate to the 

 task of a minute, anatomical disquisition, and 

 must therefore claim the indulgence of the 

 zootomist, or comparative anatomist ; request- 

 ing such to bear in remembrance, that I am only 

 stating circumstances as they have occurred ; my 

 object being to stimulate others, better qualified 

 to dissect, to detail their anatomical observations 

 upon this singular bird. 



By comparative anatomy, it has been clearly 

 demonstrated, that birds in general are provided 

 with air-vessels in different parts of the body, and 

 that many of their bones are not destitute of this 

 contrivance, admirably fitted for increasing their 

 levity, and consequent buoyancy, as well as pro- 

 gressive motion through that element in which 

 they are intended principally to move, and that 

 too with a velocity that far surpasses all the other 

 parts of animated nature. Mr JolmHunter, in the 



m i 



