GAN NET. 193 
forward ; and, when standing-, the 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 under 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 dilferent 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 
