STOMACH OF RUMINANTS. 183 
process of digestion. The external appearance of the stomach 
‘of the Sheep is seen in fig. 109 ; and its interior is displayed 
in fig. 110. The food of the Ruminant animals is not 
chewed by them before it is first swallowed. In their wild 
state, they are peculiarly exposed to the attacks of their car- 
nivorous enemies, when they come down from their rocky 
heights to browse upon the rich pastures of the valleys. If 
they were then obliged to masticate every mouthful, they 
would be subjected to long-continued danger at every meal ; 
but, by the curious construction of the digestive apparatus, 
this is spared to them ; for they are enabled to swallow their 
food as fast as they can crop it, and afterwards to return it to 
their mouths, so as to masticate it at their leisure, when they 
haye retreated to a place of safety. The crude unmasticated 
food, which is brought-down by the cesophagus, first enters the 
large cavity on the left side, which is commonly termed the 
paunch. It is there soaked, as it were, in the fluid secreted 
(sophagus 
Groove 
Manyplies ~~~ (=r 7 
Reed 
Intestine Honeycomb Paunch 
Fig. 110.—Srctios oF THE StomMAcHS oF THE SHEEP. 
by its walls; and is then transmitted to the second cavity, 
which, from the sort of network produced by the irregular 
olding of its lining membrane, is called the reticulum or 
oe en . oe stomach also has a direct commu- 
ication wi e cesop Ss, and appears destined especial, 
receive the fluid that is swallowed ; for this passes a 
