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. In this too lies the
explanation of the fact that these animals are little liable to thirst
and drink but sparingly, and that they are able to remain for a
considerable time under water. For, inasmuch as they have but little
heat, the very motion of the lung, airlike and void, suffices by
itself to cool them for a considerable period.
These animals, speaking generally, are also distinguished from
others by their smaller bulk. For heat promotes growth, and
abundance of blood is a sure indication of heat. Heat, again, tends to
make the body erect; and thus it is that man is the most erect of
animals, and the vivipara more erect than other quadrupeds. For no
viviparous animal, be it apodous or be it possessed of feet, is so
given to creep into holes as are the ovipara.
The lung, then, exists for respiration; and this is its universal
office; but in one order of animals it is bloodless and has the
structure described above, to suit the special requirements There
is, however, no one term to denote all animals that have a lung; no
designation, that is, like the term Bird, applicable to the whole of a
certain class. Yet the possession of a lung is a part of their
essence, just as much as the presence of certain characters
constitutes the essence of a bird.
7
Of the viscera some appear to be single, as the heart and lung;
others to be double, as the kidneys; while of a third kind it is
doubtful in which class they should be reckoned
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