THE DIGESTION OF FOOD 



105 



a much simpler matter mechanically than with ruminants. 

 Chemically, the results are essentially similar, i. e., the 

 protein is in part changed to peptones. The food, after 

 being swallowed, is not returned to the mouth, but is 

 very soon brought under the 

 action of the gastric juice with- 

 out so long-continued preliminary 

 preparation by remastication and 

 trituration. For this reason the 

 horse fails to digest coarse fodders 

 so completely as the ox does. 

 Besides, the stomachs of the horse 

 and pig are too small to admit of 

 so large an ingestion of hay or 

 similar material, as is the case 

 with ruminants of similar size. In 

 all species, however, the chemical 

 result of stomach digestion is 

 essentially the same, i. e., the protein is in part changed 

 to peptones. (Fig. 3.) 



FIG. 3. Stomach of 

 horse. B, esophageal at- 

 tachment; A, pyloric end 

 of stomach, with beginning 

 of small intestine. 



THE INTESTINES 



The most extended portion of the alimentary canal, 

 though not the most capacious in all cases, is the intes- 

 tines. They consist of a tube differing in size in its vari- 

 ous portions, which begins with the stomach and ends 

 with the anus. 



149. Form and length of intestines. This tube is 

 not a straight passage between the points named, but 

 presents curves and folds, so that when straightened out 

 it appears surprisingly long. Its average length with the 

 ox is given as 187 feet, sheep 107 feet, horse 98 feet, and 



