Stomach. 21 



than the first, but both act in common in mace- 

 rating and securing successive changes in the 

 food. 



The third exerts a degree of pressure, by means 

 of its peculiar leaves, upon the alimentary matters 

 arrested by it. 



The fourth is the true digestive compartment, 

 and resembles the stomach of man and the dog 

 principally. 



The ox is essentially an animal capable only 

 of limited and not rapid exertion. The structure 

 and arrangement of the digestive organs are 

 clearly intended to accommodate large quantities 

 of herbage of a mixed character, for which the 

 functions are admirably fitted. 



The horse, on the other hand, being made and 

 required for rapid exertion, could not fulfil those 

 ends with the digestive organs of the ox, and, 

 therefore, like man and the carnivora, but one 

 stomach or compartment is provided, which is 

 both comparatively and relatively smaller. 



The process of digestion is also wonderfully 

 effective. 



Whilst the ox has been known to retain food 

 for upwards of six weeks within his stomach, 

 little more than as many hours will suffice to 

 ensure digestion in the horse. The process is, 

 therefore, also wonderfully rapid. 



The stomach of the horse, replete with food, 

 acts as a great impediment to the action of the 

 lungs, hence the great number of cases of broken 



