OBGANS IY\/:Y/:/; r THE ABDOMINAL DIGESTIVE < M.V.I/.. 4r. 



quantities at short int. rvals, the stomach, properly called, can only be a temporary 



cl- t'r tin- aliment, which passes rapidly through it after being impregnated by the 

 pistiii- juice. Tin' surface which .-e.-reti> tluit lluiil ia also singularly n-due. d, 1* -cause 

 if it has to i>erfoim its functions more frequently than in ('arnivora. it i- ml requin.1 t.. 

 display ao much activity in a given time. If, on leaving the stomaeh, the alimentary 



ra < -ncounter a vast intestinal surface, it is in order that the reparativc materials 

 dispersed in the alimentary mass may not escape the absorbent action of that surfa< , , 

 ami may In- the more effectually brought into contact with it. We have this exemplified 

 in Ituminaiits; owing to tlieir double mastication and the triturating action of the iiiniitj- 



tlieir fiM).] arrives in the stomach proper more comminuted and lx-tter attenuated 

 than in tin- Horse; the inns-i. ini>ro finely broken up, retains less of the assimilable and 

 r -punitive mattc-rs. and these are more easily seized by the absorbing surface ; and, ns a 



- try conseqiieuce. the intestinal tube, although longer than in Solipeds, is far from 

 I'lVei-ing the same capacity. 



MS considenitinns explain tlie reason for the intermediate conformation of the 

 ve eanal in Omnivorous animals. 



There i.-. tin -n, an admirable correlation between the conformation of the di^ 

 tnlx and the nature >f the Miltanoe, which form the base of the alimentation of animals; 

 and this harmony is equally apparent when the stomach and intestines are compared with 

 the nthi-r apparatus of the economy, and with the natural hubitsand instincts of creatures. 

 So it is that a creature furnished with an ample stomach and narrow intestine, will have 

 sharp teeth and claws to tear its prey, t-trength and agility to capture it, and will also 

 possess sanguinary instincts; while another, with its gastric surface greatly diminished, 

 will have intestines as (K-velujK-il in their length as in their capacity, and be distinguished 

 by its peaceful habits, t lie absence of aggressive claws, and the crushing and grinding form 

 if the principal pieces of its dental apparatus, etc. 



OBGANS ANNEXED TO THE ABDOMINAL POUTION OF THE DIGESTIVE 



CANAL. 



r^ans are three in number: two glands the liver and pancreax, 

 which pour into the small intestine two particular fluids, the lile and pun 

 ji'/'i-' -. juul a glandiform organ, the spleen, remarkable for its numo- 

 ilar connections \\ith different organs of the digestive apparatus, 

 and which for this reason d. >rrv< s to be studied with it, although it is 

 doubtful, if not improbable, that it has anything to do with digestion, 



The.-e thn-- cirg.tns can readily be studied after removing the intestinal 



. ieutedat i hi order t> examine tin- details of their organ >utin 



with limn- tae.lity, it wuiild IN- well to detach them altogether with the diaplu.tgm and 



ki'ln vs. ami t<> layout the whole on a table. To .-tudy the relations of these thn-c 



with tlio>.- of the aUlominal cavity, it i-i adviMDle t-> phi'-e the Mil-jeet on its 



iiies, and to detai'h tin- post ricpr pait of the hody :it the 



The Liter. (Figs. 182, 211, 216.) 



'ion Din-fli'm. This organ is situatnl in the abdominal cavity, to 

 tin- riu'lit id' the diaphragmatic region, and in an oblique dim-lion dowu- 

 U and tu tlu- left. 



/. The- weight of the healthy liver, in a middle-sized Horse, is 



rh-Veli Jicililnls. 



'ace.- li leased from all its coinu t-timis with the 

 IK i-.rhhoiiriiio; ,,|-o;ins. and viewed \ti-rnally, it is seen to be flattened ! 



i.eliind, invL'iilarly rh.n^iit.-d in an elliptical form, thick in its centre, 

 ami thin feowvrdfl its borders, which arc notched in such a manner as to 

 divide tin- i.r-_Mii into three principal lobes. This configuration permits it 

 to l.i- studied in /// /" .- and a ir<-n ll if,,; l 



Tin M v |M rfi etlv sinootli. and clianiieh-d bv a uiile 



2 K 2 



