Jaina Biology

SR No.: 001543
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Total Pages: 340
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, Biology, & Philosophy
File Size: 19 MB

Page 142

Animals and their Classification
Pakkhi (Birds ) :
Pakṣins (Birds) are characterized by the presence of feathers (Pakṣas64, Lomas); "these decrease the loss of water through the body surface, decrease the loss of body heat, and aid in flying by presenting a plane surface to the air"65.
Like parisarpas (reptiles) birds lay eggs and have internal fertilization, i. e. they are oviparous (andaja ).66a They have become adapted to a variety of environments and different species have very different types of wings, tails, breaks, feet, etc.
As pointed out, there are four species of birds, viz. Carmapakṣi (so-called birds having leathern wings - Bats, chiropetera Valguli), Lomapakṣi (birds proper having feathered wings), Samudgapaşki (those with wings in the shape of a box)66 and Vitatapakṣis (which sit on outspread wings )67.
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Carmapakṣis have been included by the Jainācāryas into the category of birds on the basis of their homologous features of wings with birds proper having feathered wings. But they should be placed under the species of the Mammals, according to modern Biology, as they have feathers of the Mammals.
Carmapaksi (leather-winged birds)
Carmapakși are of many kinds, such as, Vagguli (bat), Jaloya (Jalūkā, aquatic or amphibious or blood-sucking bat or vampire ?) Adila (a kind of Carmapakṣi), Bhāraṇḍapakkhi (a species of micro-chiroptera, the horse-shoe bat ?), Jivaṁjiva, Samuddavayasă, (sea-crows?) Kannatiya, (a kind of Carmapaksi). Pakkhibirali (flying cat, micro-Chiroptera etc.)68
It is difficult to identify all of them at the present state knowledge of taxonomy.
Lomapaksi (Birds having feathered wings).
There are many kinds of Lomapakṣis, such as, Dhanka (a kind of crows), Kanka (herons), Kurala (Ospreys-large birds prying on fish), Vāyasā (crows), Cakkāgā (a kind of birds), Hamsā (ducks), Kalahaṁsā
64. Pannavana 1.86.
65. Biology, p. 243.
66a Tattvärthadhigama Sutra, II. 34. (Andajanam Pakṣinam)
66. Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 36.187. Pannavaṇā 1.87.
67. Pannavaṇā 1 87.
68. Pannavaṇā 1.87