Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Physiological Series of Comparative Anatomy Contained in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons in London ...R. Taylor, 1836 |
Common terms and phrases
abdomen adipocere adipose air-bladder anal bags anal glands animal anus appear arteries attached barbs barbules base body bone bristle bulb cavity cellular texture Clift colour columns corium covering crystallize cuticle cuticular cutis dissected duct edge electric organ excretory exposed external capsule external theca extremity feather fibres fish fluid Glands opening glandular growth hair hoof horny Hyæna inch injected inner integument internal layer internal surface laid open laminæ last phalanx LINN longitudinal section medulla spinalis membrane mesentery muscles muscular nerves open to show orifices panniculus carnosus papillæ parietes partitions pass peculiar periosteum pigmentum portion posterior prepuce Presented pulp quadrupeds quantity quill rectum removed scales secretion septa SERIES shaft sheath showing the thickness side similar preparation sinus situated skin socket species specimen spermaceti spine sting structure SUBSERIES substance tail tallow Tegument termination theca Torpedo transverse upper vascular villi Whale whisker
Popular passages
Page 291 - The electric organs are placed one on each side of the cranium and gills, reaching from thence to the semicircular cartilages of each great fin, and extending longitudinally from the anterior extremity of the animal to the transverse cartilage which divides the thorax from the abdomen : and within these limits they occupy the whole space be* tween the skin of the upper and under surfaces.
Page 284 - The wax is formed by the bees themselves; it may be called an external secretion of oil, and I have found that it is formed between each scale of the under side of the belly.
Page 294 - ... it ; and passing also from one partition to another, anastomose with the vessels of the adjacent partitions. The veins of the electric organ pass out, close to the nerves, and run between the gills, to the auricle of the heart. The nerves...
Page 284 - ... the least idea of wax, I conceived these scales might be it ; at least I thought it necessary to investigate them. I therefore took several on the point of a needle, and held them to a candle, where they melted, and immediately formed themselves into a round globe ; upon which I no longer doubted but this was the wax, which opinion was confirmed to me by not finding those scales but in the building season. In the bottom of the hive we see a good many of the scales lying loose, some pretty perfect,...
Page 294 - The nerves inserted into each electric organ arise by three very large trunks, from the lateral and posterior part of the brain. The first of these, in its passage outwards, turns round a cartilage of the cranium, and sends a few branches to the first gill, and to the anterior part of the head, and then passes into the organ towards its anterior extremity. The second trunk enters the gills between the first and second openings, and, after furnishing it with small branches, passes into the organ near...
Page 294 - Nerves are given to parts either for sensation or action. Now if we except the more important senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting, which do not belong to the electric organs, there is no part, even of the most perfect animal, which, in proportion to its size, is so liberally supplied with nerves ; nor do the nerves seem necessary for any sensation which can be supposed to belong to the electric organs. And, with respect to action, there is no part of any animal with which...
Page 287 - These two stings can be thrust out beyond the groove, although not far, and they can be drawn within it ; and I believe can be moved singly. All these parts are moved by muscles, which we may suppose are very strong in them, much stronger than in other animals ; and these muscles give motion in almost all directions, but more particularly outwards. It is wonderful how deep they will pierce solid bodies with the sting. I have examined the length they have pierced the palm of the hand, which is covered...
Page 293 - Their coats are very thin, and seem transparent, closely connected with each other, having a kind of loose network of tendinous fibres passing transversely and obliquely between the columns, and uniting them more firmly together. These are mostly observable where the large trunks of the nerves pass. The columns are also attached by strong inelastic fibres, passing directly from the one to the other.
Page 295 - ... not necessary for the purposes of sensation or action, may we not conclude that they are subservient to the formation, collection, or management of the electric fluid ; especially as it appears evident, from Mr. Walsh's experiments, that the will of the animal does absolutely control the electric powers of its body; which must depend on the energy of the nerves.
Page 286 - The apparatus itself is of a very curious construction, fitted for inflicting a wound, and at the same time conveying a poison into that wound. The apparatus consists of two piercers, conducted in a groove or director, which appears to be itself the sting. This groove is somewhat thick at its base, but terminates in a point; it is articulated to the last scale of the upper side of the abdomen by 13 thin scales, six on each side, and one behind the rectum.