48 



FEEDING ANIMALS. 



the intestines. This is called the peritoneum, and stretches 

 around the inside of the stomach. 



The second is the muscular coat, composed of two layers 

 of fibers, one running lengthways and the other circularly, 

 and the contraction of these muscles give a gentle motion 

 to the stomach, mingling the food more completely to- 

 gether, and facilitating the intermixture of the gastric 

 juice ; and these muscles also force the food, when properly 

 prepared, into the intestine. 



Fig. 1. STOMACH AND INTESTINES OF THE HORSE. 



A. The lower part of the oesophagus or gullet. 



B. The stomach laid open to show a, the cuticular, and &, the villous coat. 



C T . The duodenum or first small intestine, laid open to show the mouths of ducts 



leading from the liver and pancreas. 

 7>, D. The small intestines. 



E. E. The colon, showing its convolutions, foldings and bands. 



F. The ccecum, the principal receptacle for water. 



G. The rectum. 



H. The mesentery, the folds of the peritoneum inclosing the intestines and holding 

 them in place. 



