CERVID& 313 



It is nearly globose in shape, and receives its name on account of 

 the peculiar arrangement of its mucous membrane which forms 

 shallow hexagonal cells all over its inner surface. Running along 

 its upper wall there is a deep groove, coursing from the first to the 

 third stomach. This groove plays an important part in the act of 

 rumination. Its walls are muscular, like those of the viscus with 

 which it is associated, which allows its calibre to be altered. .Some- 

 times it completely closes round so as to become converted into a 

 tube by the opposition of its edges. At others it forms an open 

 canal. The manvplies is globular in form, and its lining membrane 

 is raised into longitudinal folds or lamina? arranged very much like 

 the leaves of a book, and very close together. Their surfaces 

 are roughened by the presence of small projections or papillae. 

 The reed is the proper digestive stomach, corresponding with the 

 same organ in man. Its shape is somewhat pyriform, and its 

 walls are formed of a smooth mucous membrane, which secretes the 

 gastric juice. 



When the food is first swallowed it is conveyed into the paunch, 

 and after undergoing a softening process there it is regurgitated 

 into the mouth, and undergoes a further trituration by the molar 

 teeth and mixture with the secretion of the salivary and buccal 

 glands. It is then swallowed again, but now passes directly through 

 the lief ore-mentioned groove into the manyplies, and, after filtering 

 through the numerous folds of the lining membrane of this cavity, 

 finally reaches the fourth or digestive stomach. 



The placenta of the Pecora is characterised by the foetal villi 

 being collected into groups or cotyledons, which may present either 

 a convex or a concave surface to the uterus. These cotyledons are 

 received into permanent elevations in the mucous membrane of the 

 uterus, the surfaces of which present a curvature which is the 

 reverse of the cotyledons. 



Family Cervid.E. 



Frontal appendages, when present, in the form of antlers. First 

 molar, at least, in both jaws brachydont. Two orifices to the lachrymal 

 duct, situated on or inside the rim of the orbit. An antorbital or 

 lachrymal vacuity of such dimensions as to exclude the lachrymal bone 

 from articulation with the nasal. Upper canines usually present in 

 both sexes, and sometimes attaining a very great size in the male 

 (see Fig. 134). Lateral digits of both fore and hind feet almost 

 always present, and frequently the distal ends of the metapodials. 

 Placenta with few cotyledons. Gall-bladder absent (except in 

 Moschiis). This family contains numerous species, having a wide 

 geographical distribution, ranging in the New World from the Arctic 



