DIETADAPTATIONS IN VA11ANUS NILOTICUS. 79 



different parts of the ventricle the following measurements 

 from one of the specimens at hand may be recorded. Great- 

 est length from cardia to posterior side of the transverse 

 curve 17 cm. Greatest transverse width across the empty 

 and ilat stomach 8 1 /a cm. This greatest width is situated 

 somewhat nearer to the cardia than to the posterior end. Thick- 

 ness at the sphincter abbont 1 cm. Distance from the sphinc- 

 ter to posterior end of pyloric valve fully 3 cm. or a little 

 more. This last measurement thus expresses the length of 

 the pyloric tract and its breadth is about 1 V 2 cm. or a 

 little less. The pyloric valve projects about 1 cm. into the 

 intestine. 



The interiör surface of the main ventricle is smooth, but 

 under the magnifying glass it becomes visible that there is 

 a reticular structure reminding one of a honeycomb. This is 

 most conspicuous in such places where the epithelial layer 

 has fallen off, and especially in the anterior half of the ven- 

 tricle. Posteriorly the pits seem deeper, but perhaps smaller 

 and less regular. A superficial section gives the explanation 

 of this structure. The tubular glands are aggregat ed into 

 groups each of which is surrounded by walls of connective 

 tissue. But within these walls which produce the reticular 

 structure described above each gland-tubule has its own tunica 

 propria of connective tissue. 



The material was of course not preserved for histological 

 researches, but only for the distinct purpose of giving infor- 

 mation about the contents of the stomach. In such a case 

 it is not possible to describe the miscroscopical structure of 

 the glands as the epithel is to a great part destroyed. It seems 

 nevertheless as if the structure of the glands, at least in the 

 anterior portion of the ventricle should resemble the same 

 of the alligator as described by Eisler.* At the mouth of 

 the tubules is found a rather high cylindrical epithel. The 

 cellules in the interiör of the gland tubules are lower and 

 broader and offer the appearance characteristic of fundus 

 glands. The glands are branched so that several tubules 

 irregularly bent and wound correspond to a single mouth- 

 piece. 



* Arch. mikr. Anat.. Bd. XXXIV. 1889. 



