X §2 OBSERVATIONS ON THE GANNET. 



was a communication between the lungs and the 

 cellular membrane that covers the greater part of 

 the body, as well as with the whole cavity of the 

 body, but that, by reason of some valvular con- 

 trivance, the skin could not be artificially inflated 

 through the lungs, although air would readily 

 pass in the contrary direction. It is also clear, 

 that there is no direct communication between 

 the sides* 



In order to examine this extraordinary struc- 

 ture, I made a longitudinal incision the whole 

 length of the body, a little on one side of the keel, 

 or what is commonly termed the breast-bone ; by 

 this means, the membrane that connects the skin 

 to the body, and cuts off the communication be- 

 tween the sides, was easily examined ; but no- 

 thing was observed, indicating that a communica- 

 tion could be effected, even at the will of the 

 animal. - On each side, nearly equidistant between 

 this pectoral membrane and the back, is situated 

 another longitudinal one, very similar to the last, 

 but perforated; between this and the pecto- 

 ral are about nine irregular transverse membra- 

 nous septa, that hold the skin firmly to the body, 

 having a free communication with each other. 

 The skin is also furnished with a transparent cel- 

 lular membrane, the cells being regularly perfo- 

 rated, close to the base of each feather. At the up- 

 per part of the breast is a large bag, which 

 extends some way up the neck- ; this is attached 

 to the skin by the septa of innumerable small 



