NATURAL THEOLOGY. 155 



THE STOMACH. 



A. The stomach is the organ in which the aliment 

 is finally received, and where it waits to undergo a 

 great chemical action, which consists in converting it 

 into a pulpy substance, preparatory to its distribution 

 to every part of the body. What may be first notic- 

 ed, in view of wisdom and design, is the form and 

 situation of this curious organ. It is placed in the 

 centre of the cavity of the body, with its length across 

 the body, and curving down in the middle, thus en- 

 abling it the better to receive and hold its contents. 



Fig. 29. 



In this plate of the stomach, it will be seen that the delivering ori- 

 fice is situated in the most favorable manner for the purposes 

 of the organ. Had it been placed below, nothing could have 

 been retained. 



T. Are there any remarkable varieties of the 

 stomachs in different animals ? 



A. In some animals which are destitute of teeth, 

 this organ possesses the power of a mill, to perform 

 the operation of -bruising and grinding their food. 



