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BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOPHYSICS,
AND MOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
Applied Research and Interactions
 Innovations in Physical Chemistry: Monograph Series

BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOPHYSICS,
AND MOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
Applied Research and Interactions

Edited by
Francisco Torrens, PhD
Debarshi Kar Mahapatra, PhD
A. K. Haghi, PhD
Apple Academic Press Inc. Apple Academic Press, Inc.
4164 Lakeshore Road 1265 Goldenrod Circle NE
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Exclusive worldwide distribution by CRC Press, a member of Taylor & Francis Group
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Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Title: Biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular chemistry : applied research and interactions /
edited by Francisco Torrens, PhD, Debarshi Kar Mahapatra, PhD, A.K. Haghi, PhD.
Names: Torrens, Francisco (Torrens Zaragoza), editor. | Mahapatra, Debarshi Kar, editor. |
Haghi, A. K., editor.
Series: Innovations in physical chemistry.
Description: Series statement: Innovations in physical chemistry: monographic series |
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: Canadiana (print) 20190239921 | Canadiana (ebook) 20190239948 |
ISBN 9781771888165 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780429284175 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Biochemistry. | LCSH: Biophysics. | LCSH: Chemistry, Physical and theoretical.
Classification: LCC QH345 .B53 2020 | DDC 572—dc23

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appears in print may not be available in electronic format. For information about Apple Academic
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ABOUT THE EDITORS

Francisco Torrens, PhD

Lecturer, Physical Chemistry, Universitat de València, València, Spain

Francisco Torrens, PhD, is Lecturer in physical chemistry at the Univer-

sitat de València in Spain. His scientific accomplishments include the first
implementation at a Spanish university of a program for the elucidation of
crystallographic structures and the construction of the first computational-
chemistry program adapted to a vector-facility supercomputer. He has
written many articles published in professional journals and has acted as a
reviewer as well. He has handled 26 research projects, has published two
books and over 350 articles, and has made numerous presentations.

Debarshi Kar Mahapatra, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dadasaheb
Balpande College of Pharmacy, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur
University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Debarshi Kar Mahapatra, PhD, is currently Assistant Professor in the

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Dadasaheb Balpande College
of Pharmacy, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur,
Maharashtra, India. He was formerly Assistant Professor in the Department
of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Kamla Nehru College of Pharmacy, RTM
Nagpur University, Nagpur, India. He has taught medicinal and compu-
tational chemistry at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and has
mentored students in their various research projects. His area of interest
includes computer-assisted rational designing and synthesis of low molec-
ular weight ligands against druggable targets, drug delivery systems, and
optimization of unconventional formulations. He has published research,
book chapters, reviews, and case studies in various reputed journals and
has presented his work at several international platforms, for which he has
received several awards by a number of bodies. He also authored the book
Drug Design. Presently, he is serving as a reviewer and editorial board
member for several journals of international repute. He is a member of a
vi About the Editors

number of professional and scientific societies, such as the International

Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID), the International Science Congress
Association (ISCA), and ISEI.

A. K. Haghi, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Engineering Sciences, Editor-in-Chief, International
Journal of Chemoinformatics and Chemical Engineering and Polymers
Research Journal; Member, Canadian Research and Development Center
of Sciences and Cultures (CRDCSC), Canada

A. K. Haghi, PhD, is the author and editor of 165 books, as well as

1000 published papers in various journals and conference proceedings.
Dr. Haghi has received several grants, consulted for a number of major
corporations, and is a frequent speaker to national and international audi-
ences. Since 1983, he served as professor at several universities. He is the
former Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Chemoinformatics
and Chemical Engineering and Polymers Research Journal and is on the
editorial boards of many international journals. He is also a member of
the Canadian Research and Development Center of Sciences and Cultures
(CRDCSC), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
INNOVATIONS IN PHYSICAL
CHEMISTRY: MONOGRAPH SERIES

This book series offers a comprehensive collection of books on physical

principles and mathematical techniques for majors, non-majors, and
chemical engineers. Because there are many exciting new areas of
research involving computational chemistry, nanomaterials, smart
materials, high-performance materials, and applications of the recently
discovered graphene, there can be no doubt that physical chemistry is a
vitally important field. Physical chemistry is considered a daunting branch
of chemistry—it is grounded in physics and mathematics and draws on
quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and statistical thermodynamics.
Editors-in-Chief
A. K. Haghi, PhD
Former Editor-in-Chief, International Journal of Chemoinformatics
and Chemical Engineering and Polymers Research Journal; Member,
Canadian Research and Development Center of Sciences and Cultures
(CRDCSC), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
E-mail: AKHaghi@Yahoo.com

Lionello Pogliani, PhD

University of Valencia-Burjassot, Spain
E-mail: lionello.pogliani@uv.es

Ana Cristina Faria Ribeiro, PhD

Researcher, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, Portugal
E-mail: anacfrib@ci.uc.pt

BOOKS IN THE SERIES

• Applied Physical Chemistry with Multidisciplinary Approaches
Editors: A. K. Haghi, PhD, Devrim Balköse, PhD, and
Sabu Thomas, PhD
• Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Chemistry: Applied
Research and Interactions
Editors: Francisco Torrens, PhD, Debarshi Kar Mahapatra, PhD, and
A. K. Haghi, PhD
viii Innovations in Physical Chemistry: Monograph Series

• Chemistry and Industrial Techniques for Chemical Engineers

Editors: Lionello Pogliani, PhD, Suresh C. Ameta, PhD, and
A. K. Haghi, PhD
• Chemistry and Chemical Engineering for Sustainable
Development: Best Practices and Research Directions
Editors: Miguel A. Esteso, PhD, Ana Cristina Faria Ribeiro, and
A. K. Haghi, PhD
• Chemical Technology and Informatics in Chemistry with
Applications
Editors: Alexander V. Vakhrushev, DSc, Omari V. Mukbaniani, DSc,
and Heru Susanto, PhD
• Engineering Technologies for Renewable and Recyclable
Materials: Physical-Chemical Properties and Functional Aspects
Editors: Jithin Joy, Maciej Jaroszewski, PhD, Praveen K. M.,
Sabu Thomas, PhD, and Reza K. Haghi, PhD
• Engineering Technology and Industrial Chemistry with
Applications
Editors: Reza K. Haghi, PhD, and Francisco Torrens, PhD
• High-Performance Materials and Engineered Chemistry
Editors: Francisco Torrens, PhD, Devrim Balköse, PhD,
and Sabu Thomas, PhD
• Methodologies and Applications for Analytical and Physical
Chemistry
Editors: A. K. Haghi, PhD, Sabu Thomas, PhD, Sukanchan Palit,
and Priyanka Main
• Modern Physical Chemistry: Engineering Models, Materials,
and Methods with Applications
Editors: Reza K. Haghi, PhD, Emili Besalú, PhD,
Maciej Jaroszewski, PhD, Sabu Thomas, PhD, and Praveen K. M.
• Molecular Chemistry and Biomolecular Engineering: Integrating
Theory and Research with Practice
Editors: Lionello Pogliani, PhD, Francisco Torrens, PhD, and
A. K. Haghi, PhD
• Modern Green Chemistry and Heterocyclic Compounds:
Molecular Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation
Editors: Ravindra S. Shinde, and A. K. Haghi, PhD
Innovations in Physical Chemistry: Monograph Series ix

• Physical Chemistry for Chemists and Chemical Engineers:

Multidisciplinary Research Perspectives
Editors: Alexander V. Vakhrushev, DSc, Reza K. Haghi, PhD,
and J. V. de Julián-Ortiz, PhD
• Physical Chemistry for Engineering and Applied Sciences:
Theoretical and Methodological Implication
Editors: A. K. Haghi, PhD, Cristóbal Noé Aguilar, PhD,
Sabu Thomas, PhD, and Praveen K. M.
• Practical Applications of Physical Chemistry in Food Science and
Technology
Editors: Cristóbal Noé Aguilar, PhD, Jose Sandoval Cortes, PhD,
Juan Alberto Ascacio Valdes, PhD, and A. K. Haghi, PhD
• Research Methodologies and Practical Applications of Chemistry
Editors: Lionello Pogliani, PhD, A. K. Haghi, PhD,
and Nazmul Islam, PhD
• Theoretical Models and Experimental Approaches in Physical
Chemistry: Research Methodology and Practical Methods
Editors: A. K. Haghi, PhD, Sabu Thomas, PhD, Praveen K. M.,
and Avinash R. Pai
• Theoretical and Empirical Analysis in Physical Chemistry:
A Framework for Research
Editors: Miguel A. Esteso, PhD, Ana Cristina Faria Ribeiro, PhD,
and A. K. Haghi, PhD
CONTENTS

Contributors....................................................................................................... xiii
Abbreviations .......................................................................................................xv
Preface .............................................................................................................. xvii

1. Scaling Symmetries: Environmental Protection, Chemistry,

and Society................................................................................................... 1
Francisco Torrens and Gloria Castellano

2. Scientific Integrity and Ethics: Science Communication and

Psychology.......................................................................................................11
Francisco Torrens and Gloria Castellano

3. Loliolide, Lactones, Budlein A, Calein C: Protection and

Phytotherapy ............................................................................................. 23
Francisco Torrens and Gloria Castellano

4. Clinical Translational Research: Cancer, Diabetes,

Cardiovascular Disease ................................................................................ 35
Francisco Torrens and Gloria Castellano

5. Swine, Avian, and Human Flu, and Origins of a (H1N1)

Flu Pandemic Strain ................................................................................. 53
Francisco Torrens and Gloria Castellano

6. Big Data in Artificial Knowledge: Models for Health and

Healthcare.................................................................................................. 69
Francisco Torrens and Gloria Castellano

7. Theory and Simulation: Present and Future of

Quantum Technologies ............................................................................. 83
Francisco Torrens and Gloria Castellano

8. Comprehensive Highlights of Some Novel Small-Molecule

Inhibitors of Checkpoint Kinase for Cancer Therapy........................... 97
Ahmed A. El-Rashedy
xii Contents

9. N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Antagonists:

Emerging Drugs to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases ....................... 135
Vinod G. Ugale, Rahul Wani, Saurabh Khadse, and Sanjay B. Bari

10. Recent Advances of Benzimidazole Derivatives as

Anti-Hypertensive Agents ...................................................................... 175
Kishor R. Danao and Debarshi Kar Mahapatra

11. Natural and Synthetic Prop-2-ene-1-one Scaffold Bearing

Compounds as Molecular Enzymatic Targets Inhibitors
Against Various Filarial Species ............................................................ 183
Debarshi Kar Mahapatra, Vivek Asati, and Sanjay Kumar Bharti

12. DNA: An Important Component of Life............................................... 195

Anamika Singh and Rajeev Singh

13. Bioinformatic Insights on Molecular Chemistry.................................. 209

Chin Kang Chen, Heru Susanto, and Leu Fang-Yie

14. Bioinformatics: Progress, Trends, and Challenges .............................. 231

Chin Kang Chen, Heru Susanto, and Leu Fang-Yie

15. Insights into the Natural Hypoglycemic Principles: Translating

Traditional Molecular Target Knowledge into Modern Therapy....... 251
Satyaendra K. Shrivastava and Sumeet Dwivedi

Index.................................................................................................................. 285
CONTRIBUTORS

Vivek Asati
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, NRI Institute of Pharmacy, Bhopal 462021,
Madhya Pradesh, India

Sanjay B. Bari
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, H. R. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and
Research, Shirpur, Dist. Dhule, Maharashtra 425405, India

Sanjay Kumar Bharti

Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (A Central University),
Bilaspur 495009, Chhattisgarh, India

Gloria Castellano
Departamento de Ciencias Experimentales y Matemáticas, Facultad de Veterinaria y Ciencias
Experimentales, Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir, Guillem de Castro-94,
E-46001 València, Spain

Chin Kang Chen

The Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia

Kishor R. Danao
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dadasaheb Balpande College of Pharmacy,
Nagpur 440037, Maharashtra, India

Sumeet Dwivedi
Department of Pharmacognosy and Biotechnology, Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy,
Indore 452020, Madhya Pradesh, India

Ahmed A. El-Rashedy
Department of Natural and Microbial Product, Research Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug
Industries, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt

Leu Fang-Yie
The Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia University of Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Saurabh Khadse
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and
Research, Shirpur, Dist. Dhule, Maharashtra 425405, India

Debarshi Kar Mahapatra

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dadasaheb Balpande College of Pharmacy,
Nagpur 440037, Maharashtra, India

Satyaendra K. Shrivastava
Department of Pharmacognosy and Biotechnology, Swami Vivekanand College of Pharmacy,
Indore 452020, Madhya Pradesh, India
xiv Contributors

Anamika Singh
Department of Botany, Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi

Rajeev Singh
Department of Environmental studies, Satyawati College, University of Delhi, New Delhi
Heru Susanto
The Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan

Francisco Torrens
Institut Universitari de Ciència Molecular, Universitat de València, Edifici d’Instituts de Paterna,
P. O. Box 22085, E-46071 València, Spain

Vinod G. Ugale
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and
Research, Shirpur, Dist. Dhule, Maharashtra 425405, India

Rahul Wani
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and
Research, Shirpur, Dist. Dhule, Maharashtra 425405, India
ABBREVIATIONS

ADRs adverse drug reactions

ADs Alzheimer’s diseases
AI artificial intelligence
AKI acute kidney injury
ALR aldose reductase
AMPA α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic
acid
ARBs angiotensin receptor blockers
ATM ataxia telangiectasia-mutated
BD big data
BZI benzimidazole
cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate
CDC centers for disease control
CDP cytidine diphosphate
CRG chronic risk groups
DDBJ DNA database of Japan
DDBM 2-(1,1-dimethyl-1,3-dihydro-benzo[e]
indol-2-ylidene)-malonaldehyde
DL deep learning
dTTP deoxy thymidine triphosphate
EMR electronic medical records
EVs electric vehicles
FBS fasting blood sugar
FGFR3 fibroblast growth factor receptor 3
FLT3 FMS-like tyrosine kinase-3
GABA γ-amino butyric acid
GR graphene
GSK3 glycogen synthase kinase 3
GST glutathione-S-transferase
HA hemagglutinin
hERG human ether-a-go-go related gene
HTRF homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence
I/R ischemia–reperfusion
ICIJ International Consortium of Investigative Journalists
xvi Abbreviations

IDDM insulin-dependent DM
IFN interferon
iGluRs ionotropic glutamate receptors
IIoT industrial internet of things
IR ionizing radiation
IS information system
KEGG Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
LBD ligand-binding domain
NA neuraminidase
NIDDM non-insulin-dependent DM
NMDARs N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors
NMR nuclear magnetic resonance
NPPs nuclear power plants
NPs nanoparticles
PCP phencyclidine
PDB Protein Data Bank
PDGFR platelet-derived growth factor receptors
PLK1 Polio-like kinase 1
PM personalized medicine
PPBS postprandial blood sugar
PTE periodic table of the elements
PTKs protein kinases
PTP protein tyrosine phosphatase
QC quantum chemistry
QSAR quantitative structure-activity relationship
RF random forest
RNA ribonucleic acid
SBDD structure-based drug design
SBML Systems Biology Markup Language
Ser/Thr serine/threonine kinases
SGK serum and glucocorticoid-induced Kinase
TK thymidylate kinase
TrkA tropomyosin receptor kinase A
WFT wavefunction theory
WWI World War I
PREFACE

This book has been designed to help the postgraduate students to under-
stand the basic concepts of biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular chem-
istry. This book is written mostly from the viewpoint of the basic scientist
who works at the cellular and molecular level. As molecular chemistry is
one of the forefront subjects in research and development these days, it has
become almost necessary for the students to have a hold on this subject.
This book addresses enormous advances in biochemistry, particularly in
the areas of structural biology and bioinformatics, by providing a solid
biochemical foundation that is rooted in chemistry to prepare students
for the scientific challenges of the future. This volume will prove to be a
valuable reference for those engaged in or entering the field of molecular
chemistry and biology, and will provide the necessary background for
those interested in setting up and using the latest molecular techniques.
The book provides the background needed in biophysics and molecular
chemistry and offers a great deal of advanced biophysical knowledge.
It also emphasizes the growing interrelatedness of molecular chemistry
and biochemistry, and acquaints one with experimental methods of both
disciplines.
CHAPTER 1

SCALING SYMMETRIES:
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,
CHEMISTRY, AND SOCIETY
FRANCISCO TORRENS1* and GLORIA CASTELLANO2
1
Institut Universitari de Ciència Molecular, Universitat de València,
Edifici d’Instituts de Paterna, P. O. Box 22085, E-46071 València,
Spain
2
Departamento de Ciencias Experimentales y Matemáticas,
Facultad de Veterinaria y Ciencias Experimentales,
Universidad Catolica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir,
Guillem de Castro-94, E-46001 València, Spain
Corresponding author. E-mail: torrens@uv.es
*

ABSTRACT

Faced with a new subject, one should approach it with the good luck of
the beginner: Enjoying every word and thinking what every word tells
him. The testimony is that of a layman that sees proofs of wonderful
things. New ideas and general ontological and methodological changes are
discovered. Transhumanism, new conceptions on the limits of being and
its privacy or working and research methods with computational models
are good examples of the philosophy. Correlations do not imply causality;
nor do they indicate truthfulness. Sea dumping of industrial waste is a new
form of piracy. The codes of ethics are important but, in the end, they are
a personal theme. The actions should be performed in an ambit of respect
and without eagerness to intimidation. The principle is noble, and the way
2 Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Chemistry

to transmit the message and obtain its acceptance should be dignified.

Demographic and environmental sustainabilities should be looked after.

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Setting the scene: Scaling symmetries in the real world, environmental

protection, and chemistry and society. Faced with a new subject, one
should approach it with the good luck of the beginner: Enjoying every
word and thinking what every word tells him. Our testimony is that of a
layman that sees proofs of wonderful things. In a more philosophical view,
new concepts and general ontological and methodological changes are
discovered. Transhumanism, new conceptions on the limits of being and
its privacy, or working and research methods with computational models
are good examples of this philosophical view.
The moral of the tale follows: Correlations do not imply causality. Nor
do they indicate truthfulness. Sea dumping of industrial waste is a new
form of piracy. The codes of ethics are important but, in the end, they are a
personal theme. These actions should be carried out in an ambit of respect
and without eagerness to intimidation. The principle is noble and the way
to transmit the message and obtain its acceptance should also be dignified.
Both demographic (aging) and environmental sustainabilities should be
looked after.
Earlier publications reported fractals for hybrid orbitals in protein
models,1 fractal hybrid-orbital analysis of the protein tertiary structure,2
molecular diversity classification via information theory,3 complexity,
emergence, molecular diversity via information theory,4 molecular clas-
sification, diversity, complexity via information entropy,5 dialectic walk
on science,6 Brownian motion, random trajectory, diffusion, fractals, chaos
theory, dialectics,7 nuclear fusion, American nuclear cover-up in Spain
after Palomares (Almería) disaster (1966),8 Manhattan Project, Atoms
for Peace, nuclear weapons, accidents,9 periodic table of the elements
(PTE),10–12 quantum simulators,13–21 science, ethics of developing sustain-
ability via nanosystems, devices,22 green nanotechnology as an approach
towards environment safety,23 molecular devices, machines as hybrid
organic–inorganic structures,24 PTE, quantum biting its tail, sustainable
chemistry,25 quantum molecular spintronics, nanoscience, graphenes,26
cancer, its hypotheses,27 precision personalized medicine from theory
Scaling Symmetries 3

to practice, cancer,28 how human immunodeficiency virus and acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome destroy immune defences, hypothesis,29 2014
emergence, spread, uncontrolled Ebola outbreak,30,31 Ebola virus disease,
questions, ideas, hypotheses, models,32 metaphors that made history,
reflections on philosophy, science, deoxyribonucleic acid,33 scientific
integrity and ethics, science communication and psychology.34 The present
report reviews scaling symmetries in the real world, environmental protec-
tion versus nuclear power, incineration and health, cosmetics and health,
artificial ingredients and nanoingredients, science and gender. The aim of
this work is to initiate a debate by suggesting a number of questions (Q),
which can arise when addressing subjects of scaling symmetries in the real
world, environmental protection, chemistry and society, and hypotheses
on incineration and health, cosmetics and health, artificial ingredients and
nanoingredients, science and gender, in different fields, and providing,
when possible, answers (A) and hypotheses (H).

1.2 SCALING SYMMETRIES IN THE REAL WORLD

Jones proposed hypotheses and questions on scaling symmetries in the

real world.35
H1. (West, 2018). Scale: Life/Growth/Death Universal Laws in
Organisms/Cities/Companies.36
H2. (Ballesteros et al., 2018). Metabolic-scaling origin.37
Q1. What to do with bad data?
Q2. What is wrong with this?
Q3. Why is scaling important?
Q4. What was the sample selection criterion, constant surface brightness?
Q5. What was the sample selection criterion, constant density?
Q6. What was the sample selection criterion…?
Q7. What could possibly be the mechanism driving Zipf’s law on the
size of cities?
Q8. How may cities evolve?
H1. Moral of the tale: Correlations do not imply causality. Nor do they
indicate truthfulness.
Q9. The presentation of the data: Can this be read?
4 Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Chemistry

Q10. The presentation of the data: What is the underlying cause?

Q11. The presentation of the data: What is wrong?

1.3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Novikov proposed questions, answer and hypotheses on environmental

protection.38
Q1. Mountains of wastes are the monuments being raised by our civili-
zation at end of 20th century?
Q2. Does not mankind resort to emergency with view to saving natural
habitable environment?
Q3. Is nuclear holocaust prevented?
Q4. (Vernadsky). Has mankind’s activity become a powerful geological
force?
Q5. Was economic/industrial activity of humanity inspiring with reck-
less optimism still yesterday?
Q6. Was it called not else as conquering of nature?
Q7. What was it previously invisible without modern communication
facilities?
Q8. What is happening to the forests of Brazil?
Q9. How do whole regions in Africa undergo desertification?
Q10. What disastrous state are the forests of Asia in?
H1. Sea dumping of industrial waste is a new form of piracy.
H2. (Edward IV, 1273). He banned the use of coal for heating dwellings
in London.
Q11. What is the cause of O3 hole?
A11. O3 layer is destroyed by catalytic reactions with active Cl/F-
atoms/substances formed from freons under ultraviolet (UV) in
stratosphere.

1.4 NUCLEAR POWER

In the course of 60 years, the nuclear power plants (NPPs) are in service,
heavy accidents existed: At Windscale (UK, 1957), an accident occurred
in the reactor with emission of radioactive fission products; a reactor’s
Scaling Symmetries 5

cooling system malfunctioned to bring an accident at a unit of NPP at Three

Mile Island (1979). Chernobyl (overnight April 25-26, 1986) disaster took
place with large amount of radioactive fission products injected into the
environment. Chernobyl accident drastically aggravated the problems of
further development of NPP industry on Earth. One important lesson to be
drawn from Chernobyl accident, by all those who live on Earth, concerns
the danger potential inherent in technology failures that are possible not
only at NPPs but also at the military bases and installations where nuclear
or chemical weapons are stationed. It suffices to recall the hundreds of
aircraft on routine airborne alert over the planet, carrying nuclear bombs,
or the nuclear-armed ships and submarines constantly patrolling seas and
oceans. The discussion so far concentrated on random events (accidents at
NPPs presenting intrinsic causes). They are bound to happen solely because
no technology is altogether safe and reliable, much less the sophisticated
technologies that the present NPP stations result. People strive to make the
reliability absolute and will continue to do so as long as NPPs developed
accidents.

1.5 INCINERATION AND HEALTH

Nanoparticles (NPs) present a great ability to pass corporal-tissues

membranes and involve a high grade of possible toxicity because their
biodegradability is difficult and their penetration of the different animal
species and humans could alter vital functions.39 Nanotechnology is a new
science in development that presents many questions, as NPs properties
change versus the size that they show and nanostructures interactions with
environment are not known. Some manufactured NPs could be more toxic
per unit of mass than others of the same nature but of greater size. The
natural enzymes that exist in environment could change NPs surface and
turn them into colloids, which could transport at distance heavy metals or
molecules contained in fertilizers and pesticides. Doubts are a lot.

1.6 COSMETICS AND HEALTH. ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS:

NANOINGREDIENTS

Nowadays, nanoingredients, small particles for which a regulation is

necessary, were incorporated into cosmetics. On reducing toxic-particles
6 Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Chemistry

size with nanotechnology, one increases their penetration, especially

with cold creams, that extend throughout body. Nanomaterials should be
considered new chemical entities with new safety rules and their use should
be specified on labels. Group Friends of the Earth makes a campaign for
the products to be labeled.

1.7 SCIENCE AND GENDER

In history, the role of women in science should be put in its social context.
However, one should not put this context as an excuse.

1.8 DISCUSSION

Faced with a new subject, one should approach it with the good luck of the
beginner: Enjoying every word and thinking what every word tells him.
Our testimony is that of a layman that sees proofs of wonderful things.
In a more philosophical view, new concepts, and general ontological and
methodological changes are discovered. Transhumanism, new conceptions
on the limits of being and its privacy, or working and research methods
with computational models are good examples of this philosophical view.

1.9 FINAL REMARKS

From the present results and discussion, the following final remarks can
be drawn.

1. Moral of the tale: Correlations do not imply causality. Nor do they

indicate truthfulness.
2. Sea dumping of industrial waste is a new form of piracy.
3. The codes of ethics are important but, in the end, they are a personal
theme.
4. These actions should be carried out in an ambit of respect and
without eagerness to intimidation.
5. The principle is noble, and the way to transmit the message and
obtain its acceptance should also be dignified.
Scaling Symmetries 7

6. In a more philosophical view, new concepts, and general ontological

and methodological changes are discovered. Transhumanism, new
conceptions on the limits of being and its privacy or working and
research methods with computational models are good examples
of this philosophical view.
7. Both demographic (aging) and environmental sustainabilities
should be looked after.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank support from Generalitat Valenciana (Project No.

PROMETEO/2016/094) and Universidad Católica de Valencia San
Vicente Mártir (Project No. 2019-217-001).

KEYWORDS

• nuclear power
• incineration
• health
• cosmetics
• artificial ingredient
• nanoingredient
• science

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1 lb. 3 oz.
The dimensions of a young male shot in autumn were as follows:
To end of tail 24 inches, to end of wings 24, to end of claws 29;
extent of wings 26; wing from flexure 10 1/2. Weight 1 lb. 1 1/2 oz.

In dissecting this bird, the extreme compression of the body strikes

one with surprise, its greatest breadth being scarcely an inch and a
half, although it is capable of being much dilated. The great length
and thickness of the neck are also remarkable; but these
circumstances are not peculiar to the present species, being equally
observed in many other Herons. On the roof of the mouth are three
longitudinal ridges; the aperture of the posterior nares is linear, with
an oblique flap on each side; the lower mandible is deeply concave,
its crura elastic and expansile; the tongue 2 1/12 inches long,
sagittate at the base with a single very slender papilla on each side,
trigonal, tapering, flattened above; the width of the mouth is 10
twelfths; but the pharynx is much wider. The œsophagus, a b c,
which is fifteen inches long, is very wide, having at its upper part,
when inflated, a diameter of 2 inches, but gradually contracting to 1/2
inch at its entrance into the thorax, and again expanding to 1 inch. Its
walls are extremely thin, and when contracted, its mucous coat
forms strongly marked longitudinal plaits. The proventriculus is very
wide, its glandules oblong and arranged in a belt 10 twelfths in
breadth. The stomach, e, is of moderate size, membranous, that is
with its muscular coat very thin, and not forming lateral muscles; its
tendinous spaces large and round, its inner coat smooth and soft; its
greatest diameter 1 inch. There is a small roundish pyloric lobe, as in
other Herons. Both lobes of the liver lie on the right side of the
proventriculus; one, i, being 1 inch 10 twelfths, the other, j, 1 inch 2
twelfths long; the gall-bladder large, 11 twelfths long. The intestine is
long and very slender, measuring 4 feet 7 inches, with a diameter of
only 2 twelfths at its upper part, and 1 1/2 twelfth at the lower, when
inflated; the rectum 4 inches long, and 4 twelfths in diameter, its
anterior extremity rounded, and having a minute papilliform
termination, only 1 twelfth long.

The trachea, which is 12 1/2 inches long, differs from that of ordinary
Herons in being much compressed, especially at its upper and lower
extremities; the middle part being less so. It is also proportionally
wider, and its rings are narrower. At the top its diameter is 5 twelfths,
at the middle 4 1/4 twelfths, towards the lower part 4 3/4 twelfths, at
the end 4 1/4 twelfths. The rings are osseous, in number 180; the five
lower divided in front and behind, and much arched, the last
measuring half an inch in a direct line between its extremities. The
bronchi are in consequence very broad at their commencement, but
gradually taper, and are composed of about 18 half rings. The
contractor muscles are inconspicuous, the sterno-tracheal slender;
and there is a single pair of inferior laryngeal, going to the first
bronchial ring. The aperture of the glottis is 8 twelfths long, without
any papillæ, but with a deep groove behind, and two thin-edged
flaps.
In the digestive organs of this bird, there is nothing remarkably
different from that of other Herons. The stomach contained remains
of fishes and large coleopterous insects. The examination of the
trachea, bronchi, and lungs, would not lead us to suppose that its cry
is of the curious character represented, although it certainly would
induce us to believe it different from that of ordinary Herons, which
have the trachea narrower, round, and with broader and more bony
rings.
Although in external appearance and habits it exhibits some affinity
to the Rails, its digestive organs have no resemblance to theirs.
An egg presented by Dr Brewer of Boston measures two inches in
length by one inch and a half, and is of a broadly oval shape, rather
pointed at the smaller end, and of a uniform dull olivaceous tint.
 BREWER’S DUCK.

Anas Breweri.
PLATE CCCXXXVIII. Male.

The beautiful Duck from which I made the drawing copied on the
plate before you, was shot on Lake Barataria, in Louisiana, in
February 1822. It was in company with seven or eight Canvass-back
Ducks. No other individuals of the species were in sight at the time,
and all my efforts to procure another have been ineffectual.
You will see that this curious bird is named in the plate “Anas
glocitans,” the descriptions of that species having induced me to
consider it identical with this. But on comparing my drawing with
specimens in the Museum of the Zoological Society of London, I
found that the former represents a much larger bird, which, besides,
is differently coloured in some of its parts. The individual figured was
a male; but I have some doubts whether it had acquired the full
beauty of its mature plumage, and I considered it at the time as a
bird of the preceding season.
In form and proportions this bird is very nearly allied to the Mallard,
from which it differs in having the bill considerably narrower, in
wanting the recurved feathers of the tail, in having the feet dull
yellow in place of orange-red, the speculum more green and duller,
without the white bands of that bird, and in the large patch of light
red on the side of the head. It may possibly be an accidental variety,
or a hybrid between that bird and some other species, perhaps the
Gadwall, to which also it bears a great resemblance.
Bill nearly as long as the head, higher than broad at the base,
depressed and widened towards the end, rounded at the tip, the
lamellæ short and numerous, the unguis obovate, curved, the nasal
groove elliptical, the nostrils oblong.
Head of moderate size, oblong, compressed; neck rather long and
slender; body full, depressed. Feet short, stout, placed behind the
centre of the body; legs bare a little above the joint; tarsus short, a
little compressed, anteriorly with small scutella, laterally and behind
with reticulated angular scales. Hind toe very small, with a narrow
free membrane; third toe longest, fourth a little shorter; claws small,
arched, compressed, acute.
Plumage dense, soft, and elastic; of the hind head and neck short
and blended; of the other parts in general broad and rounded. Wings
of moderate length, acute; tail short, graduated.
Bill dull yellow, slightly tinged with green, dusky along the ridge. Iris
brown. Feet dull yellow, claws dusky, webs dull grey. Head and
upper part of the neck deep glossy green; but there is an elongated
patch of pale reddish-yellow, extending from the base of the bill over
the cheek to two inches and a quarter behind the eye, and meeting
that of the other side on the chin; the space immediately over and
behind the eye light dull purple. A narrow ring of pale yellowish-red
on the middle of the neck; the lower part of the neck dull brownish-
red, the feathers with a transverse band of dusky, and edged with
paler. The upper parts are dull greyish-brown, transversely undulated
with dusky; the smaller wing-coverts without undulations, but each
feather with a dusky bar behind another of light dull yellow; first row
of smaller coverts tipped with black; primaries and their coverts, light
brownish-grey; some of the outer secondaries similar, the next five or
six duck-green, the next light grey with a dusky patch toward the
end. The rump and upper tail-coverts black, as are the parts under
the tail, excepting two longitudinal white bands; tail-feathers light
brownish-grey, edged with whitish. All the rest of the lower parts are
greyish-white tinged with yellow, beautifully undulated with dusky
lines, on the middle of the breast these lines less numerous, and
each feather with a reddish-grey central streak.
Length to end of tail 23 inches, to end of claws 24; extent of wings
39; bill along the ridge 2 1/2, along the edge of lower mandible 2 1/8;
tarsus 1 1/8, middle toe 2, its claw 5/12; hind toe 3/8, its claw 1/8.
Weight 2 lb. 9 oz.
I have named this Duck after my friend Thomas M. Brewer of
Boston, as a mark of the estimation in which I hold him as an
accomplished ornithologist.
 LITTLE GUILLEMOT.

Uria Alle, Temm.

PLATE CCCXXXIX. Male and Female.

This interesting little bird sometimes makes its appearance on our

eastern coasts during very cold and stormy weather. It does not
proceed much farther southward than the shores of New Jersey,
where it is of very rare occurrence. Now and then some are caught
in a state of exhaustion, as I have known to be the case especially in
Passamaquody Bay near Eastport in Maine, and in the vicinity of
Boston and Salem in Massachusetts.
In the course of my voyages across the Atlantic, I have often
observed the Little Guillemots in small groups, rising and flying to
short distances at the approach of the ship, or diving close to the
bow and reappearing a little way behind. Now with expanded wings
they would flutter and run as it were on the surface of the deep;
again, they would seem to be busily engaged in procuring food,
which consisted apparently of shrimps, other crustacea, and
particles of sea-weeds, all of which I have found in their stomach. I
have often thought how easy it would be to catch these tiny
wanderers of the ocean with nets thrown expertly from the bow of a
boat, for they manifest very little apprehension of danger from the
proximity of one, insomuch that I have seen several killed with the
oars. Those which were caught alive and placed on the deck, would
at first rest a few minutes with their bodies flat, then rise upright and
run about briskly, or attempt to fly off, which they sometimes
accomplished, when they happened to go in a straight course the
whole length of the ship so as to rise easily over the bulwarks. On
effecting their escape they would alight on the water and
immediately disappear.
During my visit to Labrador and Newfoundland I met with none of
these birds, although the cod-fishers assured me that they frequently
breed there. I am informed by Dr Townsend that this species is
found near the mouth of the Columbia River.

Alca alle, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 211.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 795.
Little Auk, Alca alle, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. ix. p. 94, pl. 74, fig. 5.
Uria alle, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 425.
Little Guillemot, Uria alle, Richards. and Swains. Faun. Bor.-Amer. vol. ii.
p. 479.
Little Auk, or Sea Dove, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 531.

Adult Male in summer. Plate CCCXXXIX.

Bill shorter than the head, stout, straightish, subpentagonal at the
base, compressed towards the end. Upper mandible with the dorsal
line convexo-declinate, the ridge convex, the sides sloping, the
edges sharp and overlapping, the tip rather obtuse. Nasal
depression short and broad; nostrils basal, oblong, with a horny
operculum. Lower mandible with the angle long and wide, the dorsal
outline very short, ascending, and straight, the sides convex, toward
the end ascending and flattened, the edges thin and inclinate, the tip
acute, with a sinus behind.
Body full and compact; neck short and thick; head large, ovate. Feet
short, rather stout; tibia bare for two-twelfths of an inch; tarsus very
short, compressed, covered anteriorly with oblique scutella, behind
with angular scales; hind toe wanting; anterior toes connected by
reticulated webs, the inner much shorter than the outer, which is
almost as long as the middle; the scutella numerous. Claws rather
small, moderately arched, compressed, rather acute, that of the
middle toe having its inner edge considerably expanded.
Plumage dense, blended, glossy. Wings of moderate length, narrow,
pointed; primaries pointed, the first longest, the rest rapidly
graduated; secondaries rounded. Tail very short, slightly rounded, of
twelve feathers.
Bill black. Iris dark hazel. Feet pale flesh-coloured; webs dusky;
claws black. Inside of mouth light yellow. The head, upper part of
neck, and all the upper surface, glossy bluish-black. A small spot on
the upper eyelid, another on the lower, several longitudinal streaks
on the scapulars, and a bar along the tips of the secondary quills,
white. The lower parts white; the feathers on the sides under the
wings have the outer webs white, the inner dusky; lower wing-
coverts blackish-grey.
Length to end of tail 7 1/8 inches, to end of claws 7 7/8, to end of
wings 6 7/8, to carpal joint 2 7/8; extent of wings 14 1/4; wing from
1/2
flexure 4 7/8; bill along the ridge 4 /8, along the edge of lower
mandible 1; tarsus 3/4; middle toe 1, its claw 1/4; outer toe 1, claw
1 1/2/ ; inner toe 5/8, its claw 1
1/2
/8. Weight 8 1/2 oz.
8

Adult Female, in winter. Plate CCCXXXIX. Fig. 2.

In winter, the throat and the lower parts of the cheeks are white; the
sides and fore part of the neck white, irregularly barred with blackish-
grey; the upper parts of a duller black than in summer.
There is nothing very remarkable in the anatomy of this bird, beyond
what is observed in the Auks and Guillemots. The ribs extend very
far back, and, having the dorsal and sternal portions much
elongated, are capable of aiding in giving much enlargement to the
body, of which the internal, or thoracic and abdominal cells are very
large. The subcutaneous cells are also largely developed, as in
many other diving and plunging birds.
The roof of the mouth is flat, broad, and covered with numerous
series of short horny papillæ directed backwards. The tongue is
large, fleshy, 10 twelfths of an inch long, emarginate at the base, flat
above, horny on the back. The heart is large, measuring 10 twelfths
in length, 8 1/2 twelfths in breadth. The right lobe of the liver is 1 3/12
inch in length, the left 1 1/12; the gall-bladder is elliptical. The kidneys
are very large.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.
 Fig. 3.

The œsophagus, Fig. 1, a b c, is 3 inches 10 twelfths long, its walls

very thin, its inner or mucous coat thrown into longitudinal plates; its
diameter at the middle of the neck 5 eighths, diminishing to 4
twelfths as it enters the thorax. It then enlarges and forms the
proventriculus, c e, which has a diameter of 8 twelfths; the glandules
are cylindrical, very numerous, and arranged in a complete belt, half
an inch in breadth, in the usual manner, as seen in Fig. 2, b c. The
stomach, properly so called, Fig. 1, d g, is oblong, 11 twelfths in
length, 8 twelfths in breadth; its muscular coat moderately thick, and
disposed into two lateral muscles with large tendons; its epithelium,
Fig. 2, c d e, thick, hard, with numerous longitudinal and transverse
rugæ, and of a dark reddish colour. The duodenum, f g h, curves in
the usual manner at the distance of 1 1/4 inch, ascends toward the
upper surface of the right lobe of the liver for 1 inch and 10 twelfths,
then forms 4 loops, and from above the proventriculus, passes
directly backward. The length of the intestine, f g h i, is 16 1/2 inches,
its diameter 2 1/4 twelfths, and nearly uniform as far as the rectum,
which is 1 1/4 inch long, at first 3 twelfths in diameter, enlarged into
an ovate cloaca of great size, Fig. 3. b; the cœca a, a, 41 twelfths
long, cylindrical, 1/2 twelfth in diameter, obtuse.

The trachea, Fig. 1. k, l, is very wide, flattened, its rings unossified,

its length 2 9/12 inches, its breadth 3 twelfths, nearly uniform, but at
the lower part contracted to 2 twelfths. There are 75 rings, with 5
inferior blended rings, which are divided before and behind. The
bronchi, Fig. 1. m, m, are wide and rather elongated, with about 25
half rings. The contractor muscles are extremely thin, the sterno-
tracheal slender; there is a pair of inferior laryngeal attached to the
first bronchial rings.
The above account of the digestive organs of this bird will be seen to
be very different from that given by Sir Everard Home, who has, in all
probability, mistaken the species. “There is still,” says he, “one more
variety in the structure of the digestive organs of birds, that live
principally upon animal food, which has come under my observation;
and with an account of which I shall conclude the present lecture.
This bird is the Alea Alle of Linnæus, the Little Auk. The termination
of the œsophagus is only known by the ending of the cuticular lining,
and the beginning of the gastric glands; for the cardiac cavity is one
continued tube, extending considerably lower down in the cavity of
the abdomen, and gradually enlarging at the lower part; it then turns
up to the right side, about half-way to the origin of the cavity, and is
there connected to a small gizzard, the digastric muscle of which is
strong, and a small portion of the internal surface on each side has a
hard cuticular covering. The gastric glands at the upper part are
placed in four distinct longitudinal rows, becoming more and more
numerous towards the lower part of the cavity, and extend to the
bottom, where it turns up. The extent of the cavity in which the
gastric glands are placed, exceeds any thing met with in the other
birds that live upon fish; and the turn which the cavity takes almost
directly upwards, and the gizzard being at the highest part instead of
the lowest, are peculiarities, as far as I am acquainted, not met with
in any other birds of prey. This mechanism, which will be better
understood by examining the engraving, makes the obstacles to the
food in its passage to the intestines unusually great; and enables the
bird to digest both fishes and sea-worms with crustaceous shells. It
appears to be given for the purpose of economizing the food in two
different ways,—one retaining it longer in the cardiac cavity, the other
supplying that cavity with a greater quantity of gastric liquor than in
other birds. This opinion is further confirmed by the habits of life of
this particular species of bird, which spends a portion of the year in
the frozen regions of Nova Zembla, where the supplies of
nourishment must be both scanty and precarious.”
With respect to this statement and the reasonings founded upon it, it
will be seen from the description and accompanying figures above,
taken directly from nature, and without the least reference to the
dissections or theories of any person, that the œsophagus and
stomach of the Little Auk or Guillemot, Alca Alle of Linnæus, are very
similar to those of other Auks, Guillemots, Divers, and fish-eating
birds in general. The cardiac or proventricular cavity forms no curve;
and the gizzard with which it is connected, is not small, nor has it
merely a small portion of the internal surface on each side covered
with a hard cuticular lining; for the epithelium covers its whole
surface, and is of considerable extent. The gastric glands are not at
all disposed as represented by Sir E. Home, but are aggregated in
the form of a compact belt half an inch broad, Fig. 2. b, c. As to the
ingenious reasoning by which the economy of the Little Auk is so
satisfactorily accounted for, it is enough here to say, that having no
foundation, it is of less than no value. But were there such a
curvature as that in question, there could be no propriety in
supposing that it presented any great obstacle to the passage of the
food, or retained it longer than usual. Nor is the statement as to
scanty and precarious supply of nourishment correct; for the Arctic
Seas, to which this bird resorts in vast numbers, are represented by
navigators as abounding in small crustacea, on which chiefly the
Little Auk feeds, and that to such an extent as to colour the water for
leagues. Besides, if there were such a scarcity of food in Nova
Zembla, why should the birds go there? In short, the whole
statement is incorrect; and the many compilers, from Dr Carus to
the most recent, who have pressed it into their service, may, in their
future editions, with propriety leave it out, and supply its place with
something equally ingenious.
The egg of this species measures one inch and nearly five-eighths in
length, one inch and an eighth in its greatest breadth. It is
remarkably large for the size of the bird, and of a dull uniform pale
greenish-blue.
 LEAST PETREL.

Thalassidroma pelagica, Leach.

PLATE CCCXL. Male and Female.

In August 1830, being becalmed on the banks of Newfoundland, I

obtained several individuals of this species from a flock composed
chiefly of Thalassidroma Leachii, and Th. Wilsoni. Their smaller size,
and the more rapid motions of their wings, rendered them quite
conspicuous, and suggested the idea of their being a new species,
although a closer inspection shewed them to belong to the present.
In their general manners, while feeding, floating on the water, or
rambling round the boat in which I went in pursuit of them, they did
not differ materially from the other species. Their flight, however, was
more hurried and irregular, and none of them uttered any note or cry,
even when wounded and captured. I have been assured that this
bird breeds on the sandy beaches of Sable Island on the coast of
Nova Scotia; but not having had an opportunity of visiting it, or any
other breeding place, I here present you with Mr Hewitson’s
observations on this subject.
“In an excursion,” says this amiable and enterprising naturalist,
“through the Shetland Islands during the present summer, in search
of rarities for this work (the British Oology), I had the very great
satisfaction of seeing and taking many of these most interesting
birds alive; they breed in great numbers on several of the islands,
principally upon Foula, the north of Hunst, and upon Papa, and
Oxna, two small islands in the Bay of Scalloway; the last of these I
visited on the 31st of May in hopes of procuring their eggs (it being
the season in which most of the sea-birds begin to lay); but in this I
was disappointed; the fishermen who knew them well by the name of
Swallows, assured me that my search would be quite useless, that
they had not yet “come up from sea,” and so it proved. Sixteen days
after this (June 16th and three following days) I was at Foula, but
was alike unsuccessful, the birds had arrived at their breeding
places, but had not yet begun laying their eggs; numbers of them
were sitting in their holes, and were easily caught; one man brought
me about a dozen tied up in an old stocking, two of which I kept alive
in my room for nearly three days, and derived very great pleasure
from their company; during the day they were mostly inactive, and
after pacing about the floor for a short time, poking their head into
every hole, they hid themselves between the feet of the table and the
wall; I could not prevail upon them to eat any thing, though I tried to
tempt them with fish and oil; their manner of walking is very light and
pleasing, and differing from that of every other bird which I have
seen; they carry their body so far forward and so nearly horizontal,
as to give them the appearance of being out of equilibrium. In the
evening, toward sun-set, they left their hiding places, and for hours
afterwards, never ceased in their endeavours to regain their liberty;
flying round and round the room, or fluttering against the windows;
when flying, their length of wing, and white above the tail, gives them
a good deal the appearance of our House-Martin. I went to bed and
watched them in their noiseless flight long ere I fell asleep, but in the
morning they had disappeared; one had fortunately made its escape
through a broken pane in the window which a towel should have
occupied, the other had fallen into a basin, full of the yolks of eggs
which I had been blowing, and was drowned. I regretted much the
fate of a being so interesting, by its very remarkable, wandering,
solitary, and harmless life. Before leaving Shetland I again visited the
island of Oxna, and though so late as the 30th of June, they were
only just beginning to lay their eggs. In Foula they breed in the holes
in the cliff, at a great height above the sea; but here under stones
which form the beach, at a depth of three or four feet, or more,
according to that of the stones; as they go down to the earth,
beneath them, on which to lay their eggs. In walking over the
surface, I could hear them, very distinctly, singing in a sort of
warbling chatter, a good deal like swallows when fluttering above our
chimneys, but harsher; and in this way, by listening attentively, was
guided to their retreat, and, after throwing out stones as large as I
could lift on all sides of me, seldom failed in capturing two or three
seated on their nests, either under the lowest stone or between two
of them. The nests, though of much the same materials as the
ground on which they were placed, seem to have been made with
care; they were of small bits of stalks of plants, and pieces of hard
dry earth. Like the rest of the genus, the Stormy Petrel lays
invariably one egg only. During the day-time they remain within their
holes; and though the fishermen are constantly passing over their
heads (the beach under which they breed being appropriated for the
drying of fish), they are then seldom heard, but toward night become
extremely querulous; and when most other birds are gone to rest,
issue forth in great numbers, spreading themselves far over the
surface of the sea. The fishermen then meet them very numerously;
and though they have not previously seen one, are sure to be
surrounded by them upon throwing pieces of fish overboard.”
The egg measures one inch and an eighth in length, six and a half
eighths in breadth, is nearly equally rounded at both ends, rather
thick-shelled, and pure white, but generally with numerous minute
dots of dull red at the larger end, sometimes forming a circular band.

Procellaria pelagica, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 212.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol.
ii. p. 826.
Stormy Petrel, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 327.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXL. Fig. 1.
Bill shorter than the head, slender, compressed towards the end,
straight, with the tips curved. Upper mandible with the nostrils
forming a tube at the base, beyond which, for a short space, the
dorsal line is nearly straight, then suddenly decurved, the sides
declinate, the edges sharp, the tip compressed and acute. Lower
mandible with the angle rather long, narrow, and pointed, the dorsal
line beyond it very slightly concave and decurved, the sides erect,
the edges sharp, the tip slightly decurved.
Head of moderate size, roundish, anteriorly narrowed. Neck short.
Body rather slender. Feet of moderate length, very slender; tibia bare
at its lower part; tarsus very slender, reticulate; hind toe extremely
minute, being reduced, as it were, to a slightly decurved claw;
anterior toes rather long and extremely slender, obscurely scutellate
above, connected by striated webs with concave margins. Claws
slender, arched, compressed, acute.
Plumage very soft, blended, the feathers distinct only on the wings,
which are very long and narrow; primary quills tapering, but rounded,
the second longest, the first three and a half twelfths, the third a
twelfth and a half shorter; secondaries short, the outer incurved,
obliquely rounded. Tail rather long, broad, slightly rounded, of twelve
broad rounded feathers.
Bill and feet black. Iris dark brown. The general colour of the upper
parts is greyish-black, with a tinge of brown, and moderately
glossed; the lower parts of a sooty brown; the secondary coverts
margined externally with dull greyish-white; the feathers of the rump
and the upper tail-coverts white, with the shafts black, the tail-coverts
broadly tipped with black.
Length to end of tail 5 3/4 inches, to end of claws 5 1/4, to end of
wings 6 1/4; extent of wings 13 1/2; wing from flexure 5 1/8; tail 2 1/8;
bill above (4 1/2/8, along the edge of lower mandible 5/8; tarsus 7/8;
middle toe and claw 7/8; outer toe nearly equal; inner toe and claw
5 1/2/8. Weight 4 1/2 drachms; the individual poor.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXL. Fig. 2.
The Female resembles the male.

Fig. 1.

A male bird, from Nova Scotia, examined. The upper mandible

internally has a longitudinal median ridge; the palate is convex, with
two lateral ridges. The tongue is 5 1/2 twelfths long, emarginate and
serrulate at the base, very much flattened, tapering to a horny point.
The heart, Fig. 1, a, is of a very elongated narrow conical form, 2
twelfths in length, 4 twelfths in breadth at the base. The lobes of the
liver, b, c, are equal, 6 1/2 twelfths long. The œsophagus, d, e, is 1
inch 10 twelfths long, of a uniform diameter of 2 1/2 twelfths; behind
the liver, it enters as it were a large sac, f, g, h, 9 twelfths of an inch
long, which gradually expands to a diameter of 6 twelfths, forming a
broad rounded fundus g, then curves forwards on the right side, and
at h terminates in a small gizzard, about 3 twelfths long, and nearly
of the same breadth, from the left side of which comes off the
intestine. The latter passes forward, curving to the right, behind and
in contact with the posterior surfaces of the liver, then forms the
duodenal fold, h, j, k, in the usual manner. The intestine, on arriving
at the right lobe of the liver, at k, receives the biliary duct, curves
backward beneath the kidneys, and forms several convolutions,
which terminate above the proventriculus. It then becomes much
narrower, and passes directly backward, in a straight course to the
rectum, which is only 4 twelfths of an inch long. The cœca are
oblong, 1 1/4 twelfth in length, and 1/2 twelfth in diameter. The
intestine is 8 1/2 inches long, its diameter diminishing gradually from
2 twelfths to 3/4 of a twelfth.

Fig. 2.

In Fig 2. are represented:—the lower part of the œsophagus, d, e, f;

the proventricular sac, f, g, h; the very small gizzard, h; the duodenal
fold of the intestine, i, j, k. Here the parts are viewed from the left
side.