doi:10.1016/S1569-9048(02)00129-5 
Copyright © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The pyrophysiology and sexuality of dragons
2S. T. Georgy1, J. G. Widdicombe
, 
and (with the assistance of V. Young)
Department of Physiology, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 0RE, UK
Accepted 1 April 2002.
Available online 11 October 2002.
References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must
purchase this article.
Abstract
To examine the means whereby dragons produce fire and steam, we have studied a related species, the desert-lizard Lacerta pyrophorus. Morphological studies showed that there were in the snout three distinctive features: (1) a dorsal swelling in the pharynx, the Organ of Feuerwerk, consisting of brown adipose tissue with an extensive sympathetic innervation; (2) greatly enlarged lachrymonasal ducts, the Ducts of Kwentsch; and (3) asbestos deposits in the nasal skin, the Bestos Bodies. Physiological studies show that the Organ of Feuerwerk can, when the animal is excited, produce extremely high temperatures. We discuss how these mechanisms can produce steam and fire, and how the snout is protected. We also discuss and offer a solution to the problem of how, since dragons are invariably male, the species can be propagated.
Author Keywords: Dragon, desert lizard (Lacerta pyrophorus); Mammals, virgin; Methods, pyrography; Upper airways, fire, steam
Fig. 1. (A) Longitudinal section of the head of L. pyrophorus. A points to the Organ of Feuerwerk in the dorsal wall of the pharynx. (B and C) Levels of cross-sections for Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. From Negus (1958).
Fig. 2. Laboratory photograph showing S.T.G. performing an experiment on a specimen of L. pyrophorus. The microthermistor is in position. Note S.T.G.'s protective clothing (courtesy of Amourplating plc, UK), and his macromanipulator (especially developed by Equus Probes Ltd., UK). The demure appearance of the technician (Miss Virginia Young) may not be typical; at the time she was into bondage, and shortly afterwards left to marry S.T.G. Photograph by courtesy of U. Cello.
Fig. 3. Section of the Organ of Feuerwerk. Higher magnification shows that it consists of brown adipose tissue. The track of the microthermistor can be seen, labelled bd (initials for ‘experimental artefact’ in Armenian).
Fig. 4. Cross-section at level B of Fig. 1. The large Ducts of Kwentsch are arrowed. Their position suggests they are the equivalent of the smaller lachrymonasal duct seen in other vertebrates. From Negus (1958).
Fig. 5. Dermal asbestos bodies (arrows) as first described by Bestos (1910). From Negus (1958) who wrongly concluded that the bodies were hair follicles.
Fig. 6. A microthermistor recording from the Organ of Feuerwerk. The temperature was stable until time A, when it began to rise steeply (see text). At B, the fire-alarm system was activated and the laboratory had to be evacuated, after killing the specimen.
Abstract
Purchase PDF (645 K)
E-mail Article
Add to my Quick Links
Cited By in Scopus (0)
Purchase PDF (151 K)
