Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/108

 they were 40. foot long, whereas thoser of the Lyon, formerly dissected by the same Observers, had but 25. The kidneys had a very peculiar structure, viz. a membrane containing 56. small kidneys, actually separate from one another, each cover'd with its proper membrane; here and there connected by very fine fibres; every one having a large base outwards, and streightning it self inwards; that base being in some a Hexagon, in the most a Pentagon, and in others Square; and the whole representing as 'twere a ripe Pine-apple: therefore probably so bigg, and divided into so many smaller kidneys, that it might containe and evacuate the greater plenty of setosities, to be found in a Bear, because he hath but little of insensible transpiration, by reason of the thickness of the habit of his body, not favourable for it. The Brains they observ'd to be 4. times bigger, than that of the Lyon they open'd. The Eyes exceeding little, the Chrystallin very odly scituated. and drawn on one side of the Axis of the Eye.

But that which is particularly taken notice of in the description of this Animall, is, 1. The strength of its Temper and constitution, by which it is able, though it have but a little stomach, and streight gutts (among which there is no Cæcum) to digest with ease all sorts of edibles, raw flesh, Fish, Lobsters, Insects, Herbs, Fruits, Hony; supplying by the force of his temper the defect of commodious structure. 2. The small capacity of its Liver and Spleen to receive excrementitious matter; which argues, that the action of the naturall Heat is so well regulated, that 'tis not subject to defect or excess. 3. The singular faculty of encreasing to a great bulk, by which, though it be born exceeding small, it grows a very big animal, its natural moisture being so perfect, as to render the parts capable to extend themselves, and to increase their magnitude without lessening their strength.

The Gazelle or wild African Shee-goat (the same with the Dorcas or Strepsiceros) was of the bigness and shape of an Hind, its hair fallow, except that of the belly, which was whiter, its Eyes big and black; the Horns black also, streak't cross--ways, 15. inches long, very sharpe, pretty streight, but a little turned outwards about the middle; in part hollow, and by a