188 Mammalia. 



achieved by first, following out the left renal or emulgent 

 vein from the point at which it emerges at the hilus of the 

 kidney to its junction with the Yena Cava on the right side, 

 being a vein of considerable size, longer than the right rena 

 vein, and passing ventrad of the aorta ; and then carefully dis- 

 secting through the Peritoneum a little in advance of the 

 Benal Yein, when the course of the right Renal artery will be 

 found from the Hilus of the Kidney to its origin from a 

 longitudinal vessel in the median line, i.e., the Aorta : and 

 close to this point, but slightly in advance of it, and on the 

 right side, will be seen the commencement of the Mesenteric 

 Artery. 



The intervening space between these two aortic branches 

 gives the site of the Solar or Epigastric Plexus, that is a 

 plexus of nerves, offsets of a reddish ganglion, near the side 

 of the Aortic trunk. Mixed up with the nerves of this plexus 

 are numerous small lacteal glands*, and a dense tissue, 

 which require to be moved with care. 



In the Abdomen the Aorta will be noted to be in the me- 

 dian line, dorsad of all the viscera, just ventrad of the centre 

 of the vertebrae, and with the Yena Cava to its right side, 

 except at its point of bifurcation to form the two common 

 iliac arteries, where the Yena Cava will be found to be 

 exactly dorsad of the Aorta. 



The Vena Cava, which lies to the right, and partially dor- 

 sad of the Aorta, may be followed forward as far as the pos- 

 terior border of the Liver, where it disappears ; and backward 

 to its origin at the junction of the two commonf iliac veins. 



By pulling the lobes of the Liver forward from within 

 the vault of the Diaphragm on the left side, and dividing 

 the ligaments by which they are attached to it, a clear view 



* A deeper extension of the Mesenteric Glands. 



t The common Iliac Vein is formed by the confluence of the external and in- 

 ternal Iliac Veins, 



