Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 003.djvu/79

 above it; but there is also a dampness, so that [was forc'd to put two Blankets betwixt me and the bottom, whilest I had never an one to cover me a top.

6. Although I was so weak with the paresis after a Bilious colick, as not to have the use of my hands, and as little of my legs; yet at the Caymans, during an hour or two's stay there, I examin'd that assertion of Mr. Lygons, that a Tortoise hath three Hearts, and I found it false. For, although the resemblance of the two auricles be such, as also their bodies or flesh, as to deceive the unwary observer; yet is there but one Heart, triangular, and fleshy; the other two are only the auricles, yet of the same shape and body. The two auricles move at a several time from the Heart, and they are distanc'd from the Heart about an inch; and the passage fleshy (as I remember) and narrow, by which the bloud is infus'd into the heart. This Heart hath but one Ventricle; yet are there several columns of flesh and receptacles in it, such as are not in the auricles. I was not able to examine the way, how the Bloud circulates through the Lungs in that Animal; nor the use of its Lungs, which is not ob refrigerium. Had I ever had my health perfectly, I intended to have made a voyage to the Caymans on purpose, to contemplate the Generation of Tortoises and Crocodiles there, their parts, and the manner how their Eggs are hatch'd; and I should thence have given you an account of many wonderful things. The Grasse of the Sub-marine Meadows is not a span long, that I could observe, and is of a green approaching to yellow. They bite much more then they swallow, so that the Sea is cover'd with the Grass, where they feed at the bottom. Once in about halfe an hour they come up, and fetch one breath like a sigh, and then sink down again. And if out of the water, they breath somewhat oftner. If you hurt them on shore, as they lie on their backs, the teares will trickle from their Eyes. You may keep them out of the water 20 dayes and more, and yet they will be so fat as to be fitting meat, provided; you give them twice a day about halfe a pint of Salt-water. The Fat that is about their Guts, is yellow, though that of the Body be green. The Head being cut off, dies instantly: and if you take out the Heart, the motion continues not long. But any quantity of the flesh will move, if pricked, and Rh