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very unusual Formation of the human Heart . 
Had the heart been covered with the usual parietes of the 
abdomen, it is probable, notwithstanding its situation, that this 
child might have lived in a tolerable state of health for years ; 
but must constantly have been exposed to have its heart injured 
by some external accident, from its not being defended by the 
ribs and the sternum. 
The formation and disposition of the heart and vessels, in 
this child, resemble much those which are found in the frog, 
and some other amphibious animals ; but this infant could not, 
like them, be amphibious. Those animals are extremely tena- 
cious of life, so that they live some time, even after their heart 
and lungs are removed from their bodies ; and, as their circu- 
lation can go on without respiration, it is therefore not won- 
derful that they often live a considerable time without change 
of air. Life, in the human species, depends equally on both 
these actions ; for death takes place, if either of them should 
stop. The circulation of the blood in this infant would have 
met with no impediment, had it been immersed in water ; but, 
unless respiration went on, which in that state it could not do, 
the blood could undergo no change in the lungs ; and this 
change is equally essential to the support of life, as the circu- 
lation of the blood. 
EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES. (Tab. XVIII.) 
Fig. i. represents the heart, blood-vessels, liver, &c. as they 
appeared when dissected; part of the ribs, the sternum, thymus 
gland, lungs, &c. having been removed. 
AA. The heart, consisting of one auricle and one ventricle. 
B. A large arterial trunk, arising from the ventricle. 
C. The aorta, arising from this trunk. 
Z z 2 
