DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION 189 



about six hours from the time of feeding until the first food 

 passes into the large intestine. These data refer to experi- 

 ments with cats. When mixed, as in ordinary food, each 

 constituent has the effect of either retarding or hastening the 

 passage of the other constituents. In the large intestine the 

 residual food mass remains for a considerable time, usually 

 for one to two days or even longer. 



