The Digestive System 191 



thickness of the middle muscle layer. Only one 

 kind of cell is found in the gastric glands. No 

 difference is to be noted between the hibernating 

 and feeding conditions. 



The chief peculiarity of the small intestine is the 

 apparent entire absence of the submucosa. Gob- 

 let cells are also wanting. The greater diameter 

 of the anterior region is due both to the greater 

 diameter of the lumen and to the greater thickness 

 of the walls. The middle and posterior regions 

 have about the same diameter, though the mucosa 

 becomes thinner and less complicated caudad. 

 There is practically no difference between the 

 hibernating and feeding stages. 



The anterior and posterior regions of the large 

 intestine have essentially the same structure. 

 No difference can be seen between the hibernating 

 and feeding conditions. 



