46 CLASS I. MAMMALIA. 



This power depends upon the structure of their stomachs, of 

 which there are four. Of these the three first are so situated 

 that the aliments may be made to enter either of them at 

 pleasure, as the oesophagus terminates at a point where they 

 all communicate together. 



These animals usually feed upon grass and herbage; which 

 substances, after being slightly chewed, are carried into the 

 first stomach, called the paunch; there they undergo but little 

 change, and are gradually transferred to the second stomach, 

 a small globular cavity, called the bonnet, or king's hood, 

 whose internal membrane is arranged in cells of an appear- 

 ance like those of honey-comb. Having received the food, 

 this stomach divides it into little rolls or pellets, which are 

 successively carried up into the mouth, where they undergo 

 a thorough mastication, and are then again swallowed and 

 deposited in the third stomach"; This, called manyplics, tripe, 

 or feck, is distinguished by th*i numerous longitudinal folds of 

 its internal membrane. It effects some further change upon 

 the alimentary mass. In the fourth stomach, however, into 

 which it next passes, the principal work of digestion goes on. 

 This answers to the single stomach of other animals ; into it 

 the gastric juice is poured, and here the function is finally 

 completed. During the rumination, the animal remains in a 

 state of repose, almost of sleep; and this operation continues 

 until the whole of the food previously swallowed has been 

 subjected to it. 



The ruminating animals have been more valuable to man, 

 than any others. They are mild, docile, and easily domesti- 

 cated. Their flesh furnishes us with a large proportion of our 

 animal food ; indeed there are few other quadrupeds that man 

 is in the habit of eating. Several of them, as the camel, the 

 lama, ox, and rein-deer, are used as beasts of draught and 1 

 burden. They require, comparatively, little care, attention, 

 or protection, and are generally contented with the cheapest 1 

 and coarsest food. The milk, fat, hair, wool, skins, horns, 

 and feet of one species or another, are made use of, for nour- 

 ishment, for clothing, or for various manufactures. 



The Camel and Dromedary are singularly valuable in the 

 countries where they are reared. Without them, in fact, the 

 great deserts of Arabia and of Africa would be totally impas- 

 sable. Their structure is every way adapted for the life which 

 they lead. Their feet are very large, and divided, on their 

 upper part, into two lobes, having each a hoof; but under- 

 neath are covered with an extremely strong, tough, and pliable 



