DIGESTION 



223 



small intestines of this animal that the chief digestion occurs, as 

 the large bowels are rudimentary. In the sheep, ox, pig, and 

 dog, the reaction of the contents of the small intestines is acid 

 anteriorly and alkaline towards the ileum ; probably in all animals 

 the contents of the large intestines are alkaline in reaction. 



5 &i*^ 



OT 



Fig. 78. — Schematic Arrangement of the Intestines of the Ox. 

 1, The small intestines ; 2, their termination in the caecum ; 3, the caecum ; 4. the 

 'spiral ' colon ; 5, the single colon. In the spiral colon it will be observed 

 that the ingesta is' apparently travelling in opposite directinos. 



The following table gives some information regarding the 

 intestinal canal of the domestic animals, which helps to explain 

 some of the differences in their mode of digestion. 



The intestinal capacity is, on an average : — 



Horse 

 Ox - 

 Pig - 

 Dog - 



200 litres- 



80 „ 



27 » 

 8 ,. 



•44 gallons 



59 „ 

 1-75 »• 



Ratio of length of intestine to length of body 



Sheep 

 Ox - 

 Horse 

 Dog - 



26 times longer 

 20 „ • „ 

 12 



5 n »» 



