184 Mammalia. 



serted into the inner surface of the cartilage of all the false 

 ribs, the symphysis pubis, and the linea alba. 



Cavity of Abdomen. The cavity of the abdomen is now to 

 he opened, by a longitudinal cut with the scissors from the 

 Ensiform Cartilage at the end of the Sternum to the PelviSy 

 through the conjoined aponeuroses of the muscles of the ab- 

 domen ; followed by a lateral incision on each side along the 

 edge of the posterior ribs ; care being taken not to pierce or 

 prick any of the subjacent organs or their surroundings. The 

 fl,aps thus marked out should be reflected to either side. 



On first opening the Abdomen the glistening appearance 

 of the peritoneum or lining membrane of the cavity should 

 be noted : and before the natural position of the viscera is 

 disturbed, their general arrangement and connection with 

 surrounding parts should be examined : which will be found to 

 be much as follows, slight variations occurring according to 

 the season of the year and the gender of the species on which 

 the dissection is made. 



Extending across the whole of the anterior moiety of the 

 abdomen is the Liver, in part concealed by the ribs ; as many 

 as four lobes present themselves. On the left side a piece of 

 the Stomach is visible, but this viscus is to a considerable ex- 

 tent hidden by the Liver. In the median line a deep red 

 body above an inch in length is seen, lying in a transverse 

 direction, slightly hidden in the centre by the Liver : this is 

 the Spleen. At the left end of the Spleen, and between it 

 and the Stomach, is situated the Kidney. Continuing in 

 the middle line, we come next posteriorly to the small intes- 

 tines, coiled about the whole of the posterior moiety of the 

 Abdominal cavity: and almost adjoining the Spleen, separated 

 therefrom by a coil of small Intestine, are the Large Intestine 

 and Caecum, both of a greyish colour ; the Caecum being gene- 

 rally rather to the animal's right, but free and not bound 

 down to the right iliac fossa, as is the case in Man. 



