FCETAL LIVER. SUPRA-RENAL CAPSULES. 625 



tinued directly from the central part of the cul-de-sac of the caecum, of 

 which it appears to be a constricted continuation. This is the cha- 

 racter of the appendix caeci in the higher quadrumana. 



The large intestines are filled with a dark green viscous secretion, 

 called meconium (pvxtuy, poppy), from its resemblance to the inspis- 

 sated juice of the poppy. 



The Pancreas is comparatively larger in the foetus than in the 

 adult. 



The Spleen is comparatively smaller in the foetus than in the 

 adult. 



FCETAL LIVER. 



The Liver is the first formed organ in the embryo. It is developed 

 from the alimentary canal, and, at about the third week, fills the 

 whole abdomen, and is one-half the weight of the entire embryo. At 

 the fourth month the liver is of immense size in proportion to the bulk 

 of the foetus. At birth it is of very large size, and occupies the whole 

 upper part of the abdomen. The left lobe is as large as the right, and 

 the falciform ligament corresponds with the middle line of the body. 

 The liver diminishes rapidly after birth, probably from obliteration of 

 the umbilical vein. 



KIDNEYS AND SUPRA-RENAL CAPSULES. 



The Kidneys present a lobulated appearance in the foetus, which is 

 their permanent type amongst some animals, as the bear, the otter, and 

 cetacea. 



The Supra-renal capsules are organs which appear, from their early 

 and considerable development, to belong especially to the economy of 

 the foetus. They are distinctly formed at the second month of em- 

 bryonic life, and are greater in size and weight than the kidneys. 

 At the third or fourth month they are equalled in bulk by the kidneys; 

 and at birth they are about one-third less than those organs. 



VISCERA OF THE PELVIS. 



The Bladder in the foetus is long and conical, and is situated alto- 

 gether above the upper border of the os pubis, which is as yet small and 

 undeveloped. It is, indeed, an abdominal viscus, and is connected 

 superiorly with a fibrous cord, called the urachus, of which it appears 

 to be an expansion. 



The UracJius is continued upwards to the umbilicus, and becomes 

 connected with the umbilical cord. In animals it is a pervious duct, 

 and is continuous with one of the membranes of the embryo, the 

 allantois. It has been found pervious in the human foetus, and the 



2 s 



