THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. 237 



The velum pendulum palati of the ox is short as com- 

 pared with that of the horse ; thus^ vomited matter can 

 be expelled and the animal can breathe through the 

 mouth. 



Congenital Malfoemation of the Palate is sometimes 

 seen in calves. We have on record a case of complete diver- 

 gence of the lateral halves of the facial portion of the upper 

 jaw. A case of cleft palate is recorded in ' Veterinarian/ 

 vol. xlii, p. 612 ; in this^ alimentary matters and saliva 

 passed from the right nostril during rumination or feeding. 



The Pharynx of the ox has a single opening into the 

 nasal chambers, which run together posteriorly, where a 

 space exists between the lower margin of the vomer and 

 the palatine suture. The openings of the Eustachian 

 tubes are rounded, and the organ is not separated from 

 basis cranii by guttural pouches — simply by large post- 

 pharyngeal glands. The muscles of the pharynx present 

 nothing peculiar, and do not seem to undergo paralysis. 



Phaeyngeal Polypus is an outgrowth, of generally an 

 ovoid figure, from the pharyngeal mucous membrane. It 

 acts as an impediment to deglutition, and sometimes, by 

 falling over the glottal opening, causes intermittent severe 

 dyspnoea and coughing. These require to be removed by 

 means of the ecraseur or ligature. The operation must be 

 performed through the mouth when possible, but some- 

 times the growth hangs from the posterior nares and causes 

 stertorous breathing. In a case recorded by Mr. Young- 

 husband, of Greystoke, '^the head was kept protruded 

 nearly straight out.^' 



The CEsojphagus is of a red colour throughout, is large 

 in calibre, terminates posteriorly in the cesophagean groove 

 above the reticulum at the supero- anterior part of the 

 the rumen. Its internal layer of muscular fibres presents 

 a spiral arrangement, resulting in double obliquity. Thus, 

 it is adapted for deglutition and regurgitation of the food 

 in pellets, which seem to be formed in the groove at its 

 posterior extremity. Strictly, the first three compart- 

 ments of the stomach of the ox should be considered 

 modified portions of the oesophagus. Transitional stages 



