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 Kuminant 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 

 have retreated to a place of safety. The crude unmasticated 

 food, which is brought-down by the oesophagus, 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 



Heed 



Intestine Honeycomb Paunch 



Fig. 110. SECTION OF THE STOMACHS OF THE SHEEP. 



by its walls ; and is then transmitted to the second cavity, 

 which, from the sort of network produced by the irregular 

 folding of its lining membrane, is called the reticulum or 

 honey-comb stomach. This stomach also has a direct commu- 

 nication with the oesophagus, and appears destined especially 

 to receive the fluid that is swallowed; for this passes im- 

 mediately into it, without going into the first stomach at all. 

 The folds of its lining membrane present a large surface, 

 through which fluid may be absorbed into the system. It is 



