OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANATOMY OF THE WEDDELL SEAL. 9 



proximal and distal ends of the loop were from 4 to 5 inches apart. To the right side 

 of the duodenal mesentery there was a large peritoneal recess or pouch the mouth of 

 which was directed anteriorly, and to which reference has already been made. 



The duodeno-jejunal flexure lay immediately to the left side of the vertebral column 

 and marked the beginning of the mesentery proper and of the small intestine suspended 

 in it. This mesentery had a very short base which practically corresponded to the 

 entrance of the superior mesenteric vessels. It was twisted to the right and supported 

 the jejunum and ileum, which together measured almost 46 feet in length. 



The coacal diverticulum formerly referred to as representing the combined ccecurn 

 and vermiform appendix, was taken to indicate the termination of the small and the 

 beginning of the large intestine. This primitive developmental form of the coecum 

 and vermiform was rather more than an inch in length, while in calibre it corresponded 

 with the gut. From this diverticulum to the end of the gut there were no other 

 external evidences of any distinction between small and large intestine. 



From the coacurn the large intestine or colon pursued the first 9 inches of its 

 course suspended in the same mesentery as the small intestine. Thereafter the colon 

 assumed a mesial position and, as far as the pelvic inlet, i.e. for a distance of 18 inches, 

 it was suspended in a dorsal mesial mesentery. The pelvic portion of the colon was 

 also placed mesially, and the greater part of it was also suspended in a dorsal mesentery. 

 From the pelvic inlet to the anal aperture the gut measured nearly 10 inches, so that 

 the entire length of the colon from ccecum to anus was practically 3 feet. Thus the 

 total length of the gut from pylorus to anus was : 



Duodenum ...... 1 foot. 



Small intestine . . . . . .46 feet. 



Colon . . . . . 3 



Total . . . . . 50 



The liccr (see figs.) was large and deeply fissured, thereby presenting very dis- 

 tinct lobes. It was intimately associated with the diaphragm, and occupied the anterior 

 end of the abdominal cavity from side to side. It was provided with the usual peritoneal 

 ligaments. The falciform and coronary ligaments presented no special features as 

 regards their arrangement, but the left lateral ligament extended from the sharp left 

 margin of the liver whereas the right lateral ligament was short and extended from the 

 smooth surface of the right aspect of the right lobe. The diaphragmatic surface of the 

 liver was smooth and convex, adapting itself to the abdominal surface of the diaphragm 

 and presenting right and left lobes in relation to the suspensory or falciform ligament. 

 The right lobe was divided into mesial and lateral portions by a deep dorso-ventral 

 fissure, and the left lobe was imperfectly divided by dorsal and ventral notches which, 

 however, did not meet each other. 



On its visceral aspect the liver was much subdivided, particularly in relation to the 

 right lobe. The right and left lobes were marked off from each other by the ligamentum 

 teres (obliterated umbilical vein) on the ventral aspect of the hilum, and by the hepatic 



(ROY. soc. EDIS. TRANS., VOL. XLVIL, 61.) 



