DE J. MURIE ON THE ANATOMY OF THE SEA-LION. 561 



Depth or diameter between the highest point of the lesser curva- 

 ture and lowest margin of the great curvature, in a line cutting 



the spleen = 10| inches. 



Length or outer circumference, following the curve from the 



oesophageal to the pyloric orifice =31 „ 



Length of the lesser curvature from the oesophagus to pylorus, 



following the inflexed margin of the viscus =11 „ 



Depth of the narrowed part of the F-shaped angle of the lesser 



curvature about 2 ,, 



In the interior of the stomach the longitudinal folds of the oesophagus stop short, by 

 a sphincter-like ring of mucous membrane sharply defining the cardiac orifice, which 

 is wide and thick-walled. The mucous coat, throughout the entire cavity of the 

 stomach, has a rough, marbled appearance, from the irregular crossing and inter- 

 blending of slightly raised, narrow rugse. There is a partial septum, formed by a 

 large semilunar fold of membrane, which projects downwards in a line with the angular 

 bend of the lesser curvature. Beyond this, towards the pylorus, the mucous plaits are 

 more pronounced ; and close to the pyloric orifice several longitudinal large folds exist ; 

 between these, reaching from one to the other, are fine, transverse, honeycomb or 

 narrow elliptical depressions and sinuous plicae. Although very indistinct, from the 

 folds being low and flat, there is nevertheless a resemblance in the design of the 

 mucous folds to what obtains in the first gastric cavity of the Cetacea, e. g. Pliocama 

 communis. In the Lion (Fells) the lower part of the oesophagus has transverse circular 

 folds, like valvulae conniventes, whereas in Otaria they are longitudinal and thicker. 

 The fundus is better marked (i. e. larger) than in Otaria, and the walls throughout 

 much thicker. The orifices of the gastric glands in Otaria are distinctly seen as minute 

 pinholes, distributed here and there at intervals on the membrane. The pyloric orifice, 

 guarded by a circular fold or valve, is narrow, only admitting the finger, or less than 

 half an inch in diameter. 



The lesser omentum, while still comparatively thin, is rather thicker than the great 

 omentum. It is attached to the lower or posterior surface of the left great venous 

 reservoir, and to the right posterior edge of the left lobe of the liver. At this point it 

 is also adherent to the right side of the left lateral ligament, passing on to the oeso- 

 phageal end of the stomach. Having reached the upper curvature of the stomach, it 

 stretches around and from it to the liver, there forming the dense layer of Glisson"s 

 capsule. The great omentum forms a large, but exceedingly delicate, web of membrane, 

 traversed, as usual, by vessels derived from the right and left gastroepiploic arteries &c. 

 In the present instance there was not a trace of fat in the membrane when the abdomen 

 was opened. It was observed not to cover the intestines and viscera, but to be inter- 

 mixed among the folds of the gut. This possibly may have been an accidental 

 circumstance. 



