the Manifi pentadactyla of Ceylon. 59 



ticed the part here more particularly alluded to, I am induced 

 to offer the following observations on the subject : — 



The stomach of the pangolin tn situ, differs but little in out- 

 ward appearance from the stomach of many of the mammalia, 

 its division into two cavities being scarcely perceptible ; but its 

 muscular fibres are stronger and more apparent, particularly in 

 the cardiac portion, and some may be traced readily to the py- 

 lorus. When laid open, however, the two cavities are very 

 evident, and are distinguished, not only by the thickness and 

 strength of their parietes, but also by their lining membrane. 

 The membrane of the cardiac portion is rugous, or puckei-ed 

 into numerous irregular folds ; and the membrane of the pylo- 

 ric portion resembles the thick coriaceous lining of the gizzard 

 of the gallinacea. In this part may be observed numerous open- 

 ings, the excretory ducts of a large granular structure which is 

 there situated. Between these two portions of the viscus is 

 situated the peculiar cyst-like structure, the form, exact posi- 

 tion, and aperture of which may be better understood by a re- 

 ference to the accompanying Plate I., than by any verbal de- 

 scription. It is lobulated, and resembles the convolutions of 

 the cerebrum, covered with the pia mater. It occupies nearly 

 the centre of the large curvature of the stomach, and projects 

 into its cavity ; is of an elliptic form, with its long diameter placed 

 transversely, and is covered by the inner membrane of the 

 stomach, which is here smooth. In the centre of the side to- 

 wards the pylorus, is a large opening, leading into a cavity, and 

 thence into several chambers, which are constituted by the lobe- 

 like structure I have described. The margin of this opening 

 is studded with follicular glands, which are continued in a chain 

 towards the pylorus ; and the inner surface is highly vascular, 

 and secretes a ropy mucous fluid. 



Insects, particularly ants, form the principal food of the pan- 

 golin, and of many others of the edentated family, and for ob- 

 taining these, its long and delicate tongue, for penetrating into 

 small cavities, seems to be well adapted. But it may be as 

 sumed, that insects are not its only food, and that there is 

 strength and provision as great as with the gallinacea, for tritura- 

 ting and digesting grain or roots, and the very strong and talon - 

 like nails (well atlapted for turning up the earth), with which 



