172 ANALYTIC SECT. XIX, 
and the taste of hia feeds cause an abundant secre- 
tion. Dr. Fordyce rates the quantity of saliva 
secreted at a meal, between one and two ounces, 
ccccxxul, Deglutition of the masticated food 
is effected by the tongue forcing it into the 
pharanx, the contraction of whose muscles impels 
it into the cesophagus, which is also endowed with 
contractibility, by which it is finally conveyed 
into the stomach, 
ceccxxi1, Without a considerable quantity of 
fluid be taken with the aliment, the sensation of 
thirst is urgent and disagreeable; hence most 
animals are disposed to drink after feeding. 
cccexxiv. After a meal, the inner surface of 
the stomach is in close contact with the alimentary 
mass, from whose whole periphery decomposition 
begins, and advances towards the centre. ‘This 
progressive decomposition from circumference to 
centre, is seen advantageously in dogs, as they 
take little pains to masticate their food. The 
decomposed aliment mingles with the drink and 
the gastric juice, in which it partly floats and is 
partly dissolved ; this mixture forms the chyme, 
which is gently forwarded through the pylorus 
by the contraction of the stomach. 
ccccxxv. The pylorus is said to permit only the 
chyme to pass through it; and this idea seems 
true toa great extent, for it contracts easily on 
yery small substances, but it is notwithstanding, 
