THE INTESTINES. 



235 



from which making a turn, it becomes fixed to the ver- 

 tebree, and then takes the name of jejunum; but as in this 

 course its length is nearer twenty inches than twelve, it is 

 evident that duodenum is an improper term for it in the 

 horse. It is larger in circumference than the other small 

 intestines, and more vascular ; but it is peculiarly remark- 

 able for having the pancreatic and biliary ducts obliquely 

 penetrating it, which they sometimes do by one common 

 orifice, but often by distinct ones, about five inches from the 

 commencement of the intestine. The jejunum gains its name 

 from being commonly found empty, and is attached :o the 

 mesentery, which follows its circumvolutions ; the line of 

 division between it and the ihum is only imaginar/. A 

 portion of the ilium occupies part of the ihac region, whence 

 it derives its name : it presents no peculiarities of structure ; 

 but its circumvolutions are all connected by the fclds of 

 the mesentery : it terminates in the csecum. 



The large intestines differ widely from the small in struc- 

 ture and appearance as well as in size ; having thei? large 

 volume puckered up by muscular bands into distinct com- 

 partments which lodge the alimentary contents, and pre- 

 vent their too hasty egress. The caecum, or bUnd gut as it 

 is called, is the first of them. In this the ilium terminates, 

 protruding itself some way within the cavity, which pre- 

 vents the return of the contents of the csecum. From ihis 

 locality part of the csecum projects forward nearly tlree 

 feet, and chiefly reposes upon the umbilical portion of the 

 linea alba. It usually approximates to the right side of the 

 abdomen, and appears immediately on opening the perto- 

 neum. It interposes between the ilium and the coon, 

 dividing one intestine from the other. The head, or part 

 of tlie gut, within wdiich the ilium terminates, and the cdon 

 takes its rise, is commonly near to the diaphragm md 

 liver. The horse has no appendix vermiformis. Throigh 

 the peritoneal covering, we observe three or four muscilar 

 longitudinal bands, reaching from its extremity along the 

 outer side of the intestine ; between these bands the c«ats 

 of the intestine are plaited up, and form cavities caled 

 cells. From this gut being frequently found with a an- 

 siderable quantity of water in it, it has been conjecturec to 

 be a receptacle for fluid, and fluid only; but it is lot 



