122 ANIMAL FUNCTIONS. 



a remarkable provision in the stomach of the Camel, 

 by the use of which, that animal, and no other, is 

 enabled to traverse the wide and arid deserts of the 

 East. 



The second stomach of this animal has a separate 

 compartment in which is situated a series of cellular, or 

 sac-like appendages, the mouths of which are capable 

 of being closed by strong muscular bands. These cav- 

 ities are the reservoirs of water, so often spoken of by 

 those who have described the habits of this animal. 



When the Camel drinks, the muscular bands are 



relaxed, and the cells are filled with the fluid, after 



which, their mouths are closed, and 



lg ' the functions of the stomach are 



performed as usual. When the 

 contents of the stomach require to 

 be moistened, which is indicated by 

 a sense of thirst, the bands are re- 

 laxed, and a sufficient quantity is 

 allowed to escape. Fig. 82 repre- 

 sents a portion of the stomach, 

 showing these appendages on a small 

 scale, with the muscular bands relaxed. 



It is said that the sagacious animal when about to 

 start on a journey across the desert, which he probably 

 discovers by the preparations, distends these water 

 vessels to the utmost with the precious fluid, which 

 remains pure and sweet to the end of the journey. 



Water cells in the Elephant. It is well known that 

 the Elephant has a method of dislodging insects from 

 such parts of his body as he cannot reach with his trunk, 

 by forcibly ejecting a quantity of water on them ; and 

 this he does, though he has drank no water for several 

 hours. 



The fountain whence the Elephant obtains water for 

 this purpose, appears to have remained a mystery until 

 Sir E. Home discovered in the stomach of this animal a 

 cavity similar to that of the camel, and capable of 



What is said of the difference in the stomachs of ruminants, with, and 

 lyithout horns 1 What is said of the water sacs of camels 1 



