114 



RUMINANT STOMACHS. 



is found on the right of the oesophagus, and in front of the third ; 

 of which, at first sight, it seems to be an appendage. The mucous 

 membrane, which lines its interior, forms a multitude of folds, so 

 arranged as to constitute polygonal cells, like those of a bee's 

 comb. The third stomach, which is smaller than the second, is 

 placed to the right of the paunch, and has received the name of 

 manyplies, on account of the large longitudinal folds with which 

 its interior is furnished, and which resemble the leaves of a book. 

 The fourth stomach, or reed, which is intermediate in size be- 

 tween the paunch and the manyplies, is found on the right of 

 this last sac. Its internal surface is irregularly folded ; and is 

 continually moistened by an acid liquid the gastric juice. It 

 is on account of the property which this liquid possesses of curd- 

 ling milk, that the reed of the calf is preserved as rennet, to be 

 used in making cheese. The three first stomachs communicate 

 directly with the oesophagus. This passage opens at first nearly 

 equally into the paunch and the honeycomb ; and is then conti- 

 nued as a furrow or demi-canal (Fig. 65.) which runs along the 



Intestine. Honeycomb. Paunch. 



FIG. 65.-SECT10N OF THK STOMACHS OF THE SHEEP. 



upper side of the honeycomb, and terminates in the manyplies, 

 which, in its turn, communicates with the reed. 



99. It is in the paunch, that the food, which is partially 

 reduced by a first mastication, accumulates ; and it is only after 

 having been brought back into the mouth, and chewed a second 



