THE ALIMENTARY CAXAL AXD ITS APPENDAGES. 



121 



The chylific stomach is a simple cylindrical tube, provided at 

 its anterior end with eight (sometimes fewer) csecal tubes, and 

 opening behind into the intestine. Its muscular coat consists of 

 a loose layer of longitudinal fibres, enclosing annular fibres. 

 Internal to these is a basement membrane, which supports an 

 epithelium consisting of elongate cells which are often clustered 



Fig. 05. Transverse section of tubular prolongation of Gizzard, within the Chylific 

 Stomach, part of which is shown at its proper distance. R C, reflected 

 chitinogenous layer ; Tr, tracheal tube ; M, cross section of muscle ; Ep, 

 epithelium of chylific stomach. X 100. 



into regular eminences, and separated by deep cavities. The 

 epithelium forms no chitinous lining in the chylific stomach or 

 caacal tubes ; and this peculiarity, no doubt, promotes absorption 

 of soluble food in this part of the alimentary canal. Short 

 processes are given off from the free ends of the epithelial cells, 

 as in the intestines of many Mammalia and other animals. 



