Copy 1, Volume 1

Tracts on the natural history of animals and vegetables / Translated from the original Italian by John Graham Dalyell, with physiological illustrations by the translator.

  • Spallanzani, Lazzaro, 1729-1799
Date:
1803
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Tracts on the natural history of animals and vegetables / Translated from the original Italian by John Graham Dalyell, with physiological illustrations by the translator. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    171/442 (page 75)
    heat (1). 1 took feveral river carp for experi- ment. When the water they were in had been heated to 106°, they exhibited no fign of uneafi- nefs. At 109°, they began to ftrugele, and died at 116°. Experiments were made on other fifhes, as eels, tench, lampreys, but none could bear fo much heat. Whence, by analogy, thofe inhabitmg warm fprings fhould fupport greater heat: and of this the fifhes we have juft mention- ed afford ample evidence (2). | | But of all known animals, reptiles and infects ftand in greateft dread of cold, and feek heat the moft. The heat of the fun may be called their foul. Then they are full of fenfation and motion; and as that luminary is more powerful, fo do their activity, vivacity, and boldnefs increafe. ‘The venomous kinds, as fnakes and fcorpions, are. more formidable, and their poifon more danger- ous. But cold produces an oppofite effect. In- numerable infects perifh on the approach of win- ter, and moft of both them and reptiles that fur- vive would encounter the fame hazard, if not protected againit it. In temperate climates, all feek a fafe retreat when winter comes. Some, as fcorpions, and many {pecies of flies, retire to the rents of walls, or under the tiles of houfes; _ athers are concealed m the mid{ft of ftones, the clifts