194 
papa), laid in the Society’s Gardens. This was believed to be the 
first well-authenticated specimen known of the egg of this Vulture. 
The shape was oblongo-ovate, considerably pomted towards the 
smaller end ; the colour pure white ; length 3°7 inches, breadth 2°65. 
As the egg was supposed to be impregnated, it was in contemplation 
to attempt to hatch it under a hen of the domestic fowl. 
The Secretary also exhibited a second egg laid by the female 
Apteryx mantelli in the Society's Gardens in February last. It 
differed but slightly from that previously produced by the same bird, 
being merely somewhat larger. 
The following papers were read :— 
1. REMARKS ON THE STOMACH OF THE POTAMOCH@RUS PENI- 
c1LLatus. By T. Howarp Stewart, F.Z.S. 
The stomach of the Potamocherus has the usual type of structure, 
such as exists in all the Artiodactyla. It is divided partially into 
three compartments, viz. the cardiac sacculus, situated to the left 
of the cardiac or cesophagal opening ; the cuticular portion around 
the cardiac orifice ; and the digestive or pyloric division: these com- 
municate freely with one another. 
This stomach differs from that in the genus Sus in having the 
cardiac sacculus larger, and in the cuticular layer around the ceso- 
phagal opening being somewhat different in arrangement. 
In Potamocherus the cuticular portion is well defined, and has 
a raised crenulated margin, and its entire surface much wrinkled. 
Microscopically, it shows an epithelial structure, which is raised on 
the surface into conical papille, such as are seen on a larger scale 
in the reticulum of Ruminants. 
In Sus the cuticular portion is not so markedly distinct from the 
mucous or digestive portion ; it has, however, a defined and slightly 
raised non-crenulated margin ; the surface is quite smooth, and of a 
white non-vascular colour. 
It becomes a question of interest, in examining the arrangement 
of the stomach in these Artiodactyles, as to what may be its function 
in the digestive process. I believe that the food, first passing into 
and being mixed with the secretion from the cardiac sacculus, goes 
on to the cuticular portion of the stomach, and undergoes there a 
kind of maceration, and is then forwarded to the pyloric or true 
digestive portion of the viscus. May not this cuticular part of the 
stomach be analogous to the reticulum or second cavity in the 
stomach of the true Ruminants? This peculiar lining of a portion of 
the stomach exists in all the Pachyderms, in the Horse, and in all 
the Artiodactyles, and also in the Kangaroo, under various modifice- 
tions. The Kangaroo has been known to ruminate when fed on 
hard food; may not an occasional act of rumination take place in 
this Potamocherus, and others of the same class? The cuticular 
