THE GASTRIC GLANDS 181 



and the gastric glands cease gradually to perform 

 their functional duty, when a salmon enters fresh 

 water. 



THE GASTRIC GLANDS OF SALMON 



Dr. J. Kingston Barton states definitely that the 

 digestive organs of salmon taken with rod and line, 

 and examined by himself, were " absolutely normal." 

 This from such an authority appears conclusive, in so 

 far as the healthiness and normality of such organs are 

 concerned, but it does not of necessity imply that these 

 organs were active, or inclined to be active ; while 

 healthy, their powers might still be in abeyance. If 

 the digestive organs of a hibernating animal were 

 examined, they would undoubtedly be found in a 

 normal condition, as would the digestive organs of 

 Dr. Sacchi during the course of one of his long fasts. 



If, indeed, the gastric glands of either the bear or 

 the doctor were actively discharging their contents on 

 to the delicate tissues of an empty stomach, it is cer- 

 tain that the bear would not sleep, and that the doctor 

 would not rest during the fast. The gastric glands 

 may be regarded as the wholesale manufacturer, by 

 chemical process, of easily assimilable food for the 

 retail demand of the digestive organs ; in other words, 

 as the agent in preparing the nutritive portion of the 

 food for conversion into blood. In certain physically 

 or mentally unhealthy conditions of life, the gastric 

 glands will at times discharge gastric juice after the 



