184 THE VITAL FUNCTIONS. 



ducing any effect on flesh ; but in those animals, 

 which, like man, are omnivorous, that is, par- 

 take indiscriminately of both species of aliment, 

 it appeared to be fitted equally for the solution 

 of both. So accurate an adaptation of the che- 

 mical powers of a solvent to the variety of sub- 

 stances employed as food by different animals, 

 displays, in the most striking manner, the vast 

 provision of nature, and the refined chemistry 

 she has put in action for the accomplishment 

 of her different purposes. 



In the stomachs of many animals, as also in 

 the human, it is impossible to distinguish with 

 any accuracy the organization by which the 

 secretion of the gastric juice is effected : but 

 where the structure is more complex, there may 

 be observed a number of glandular bodies inter- 

 spersed in various parts of the internal coats of 

 the stomach. These, which are termed the 

 Gastric glands, are distributed in various ways 

 in different instances : they are generally found 

 in greatest number, and often in clusters, about 

 the cardiac orifice of the stomach ; and they are 

 frequently intermixed with glands of another 

 kind, which prepare a mucilaginous fluid, serving 

 to protect the highly sensible coats of the sto- 

 mach from injurious impressions. These latter 

 are termed the mucous glands, and they are often 

 constructed so as to pour their contents into 

 intermediate cavities, or small sacs, which are 



