58 THE DISEASES AND DISOEDEES OF THE OX. 



ing and preparing the food, and being similar in point of func- 

 tion to the cuticular portion of the stomach of the horse. In 

 the adult ox the rumen, into which the gullet opens, is very 

 large, much the largest compartment of the four, and it occupies 

 about three- fourths of the abdomen. It constitutes about nine- 

 tenths of the whole mass, and into its cavity is received the 

 hastily swallowed and imperfectly masticated food. The rumen is 

 situated on the left side of the animal's body, and to its left side 



Fig. 4. — Stomach of the Ox sken on its right upper face, the 

 Abomasum being depressed. 



A. Rumen, left hemisphere, b. Rumen, right hemisphere, c. Termination of 

 the oesophagus, d. Reticulum, e. Omasum, f. Abomasum. 



the spleen is attached. It inclines obliquely downwards from 

 left to right, and is elongated from before backwards. In front 

 of the rumen lies the reticulum, while the omasum and the 

 abomasum are situated on the right. 



When it is filled with food, the rumen may be seen above the 

 level of the animal's spine. The rumen has three tunics, an 

 outer or serous coat, a muscular coat, and most internally a 

 raucous coat, in which the glands are imbedded. The internal 

 surface of the rumen is rough, and covered with hard epithelium, 



