G AN NET. 193 



forward ; and, when standing, tiie body is nearly horizontal like a 

 goose, and not erect like a cormorant. 



Having, by the dissection of a specimen of the Gannet for preser- 

 vation, noticed the slight and partial adhesion of the skin to the flesh 

 of the whole nnder parts of the body, we availed ourselves of the 

 opportunity of paying more attention to the structure of this bird, and 

 by experiments endeavoured to discover to what extent, and upon what 

 principle, the inflation of the body was performed. 



The appearance of so singular a conformation, brought to recollection 

 what BufFon relates of the pelican ; who remarks, that from the lungs 

 the air passes through axillary pipes, into a thick vescicular cellular 

 membrane, that covers the muscles and envelopes the whole body. 

 The structure, however, of the Gannet, although probably intended for 

 similar purposes, is very different from that of the Pelican, according 

 to the relation of that naturalist. 



The bill of the Gannet differs from that of most birds, for it is not 

 only destitute of nostrils, but on each side the upper mandible towards 

 the base is a dentation that divides the margin, and thus admits of con- 

 siderable motion. 



It has been customary to describe the Gannet as possessing a large 

 pouch, like the pelican, under the chin, capable of containing five or 

 six herrings ; but this is erroneous. The gullet ((esophagus) is ex- 

 tremely capacious, and the skin from the chin downwards, extending 

 along the neck, is equally capable of dilation, so that five or six fishes, 

 equal in size to that of a herring, might be contained in the gullet and 

 stomach ; for there appears to be very little difference between them ; 

 or in other words, the stomach is a continuation of the gullet, 

 (esophagus,) with little or no stricture or division. 



It is well known that many birds regurgitate with much ease and 

 facility ; and that instinct points out to them the necessity of preparing 

 the food intended for the nourishment of their young, in the receptacle 

 usually termed the craw : in this manner the Gannet, having none, 

 can readily disgorge the contents of its stomach to satisfy its young. 



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 con- 

 trivance, admirably fitted for increasing their levity, and consequent 

 buoyancy, as well as progressive motion through that element in 

 which they are intended principally to move ; and that too, with a 

 velocity that far surpasses all other parts of animated nature. Mr. 

 John Hunter (in the Transactions of the Royal Society) proves, that 



o 



