ALIMENTARY CANAL OF CAKN1VORA. 



445 



width to near the pyloric end, c, which is too short to be bent. 

 The duodenum, d, d, makes a large curve, and is a loose intestine, 

 with a meso-duodenum which becomes shorter as it approaches 

 the spine at the lower end of the curve : 

 it is continued into the jejunum before 

 crossing the spine. The biliary and pan- 

 creatic ducts, d, terminate about an inch 

 from the pylorus. The length of the small 

 intestines is 3 feet 2 inches, with a general 

 circumference of one inch. The ca3cum, 

 fig. 352, c, is an inch in length, rather con- 

 tracted at the neck, with an obtuse blind 

 end : this is occupied by a patch of agmi- 

 nate follicles : a larger patch is at the end 

 of the ileum, ib. a : the ileo-colic orifice 

 and valve, b, are circular. The colon, d, is 

 continued almost straight to the vent, e : 

 the length of the large intestine was but 

 6 inches. 



The Musteline, Subursine and Ursine 

 Carnivora are, as a rule, devoid of caecum. 

 In tlie Martin (Mustela martes) the intesti- 

 nal canal is three and a half times the 

 length of the body. In the Otter the great and small curves 

 of the stomach appear angular through the abruptness of the 

 bend of the pyloric upon the cardiac part. The intestinal canal 

 is relatively longer in Enhydra than in Lutra. In the Racoon 

 the beginning of the colon is indicated by a slight enlargement 

 and circular fold of the lining membrane, not produced so as to 

 form a valve. In a Benturong (Ictides) I found a caecal pro- 

 jection of half an inch in length at the beginning of a large 

 intestine two feet in length: the small intestines were seven 

 feet long ; the length of the animal, exclusive of tail, was two 

 feet. The stomach of Ailurus is subglobular, with terminal 

 orifices ; the narrow termination of the pyloric part has a thick 

 mucous membrane. In the Bear there is a more marked blind 

 sac at the left end ; both muscular and mucous coats are thick. 

 The villi of the small intestine are longer and coarser than in the 

 Lion. In Ur sides, the entire intestines are about twelve times the 

 length of the body ; in F elides, from three to four times ; in Vi- 

 verridce from four to six times : the longest in this family being 

 in the frugivorous Palm-cats (Paradoxurus.) 



In the common Seal (Phoca vitulina, Z.) the oesophagus opens 



Large intestine, Suricate, half 

 n at . size. 



