INTERNAL ORGANS. 19 



The OX, the sheep, and other niminaiit ani- 

 mals, have four large stomachs, the smallest 

 of which, even in the sheep, is as large as 

 that of the horse. These animals take in a 

 large quantity of food at once, and digest it at 

 their leisure, from which they feel no incon- 

 venience : but the horse, even in a state of 

 natuie, is differently employed. Rapidity of 

 motion and strength are necessary to his pre- 

 servation ; and in his domesticated state it is 

 more particularly required. Hence, he is 

 formed with a small stomach, which requires 

 frequent supplies, and is no impediment to his 

 exertions. From this will appear the absurdity 

 of keeping a horse a considerable time without 

 food or water, and then suffering him to take 

 in a large quantity : incurable and even fatal 

 diseases have arisen from this management. 

 In the ox and sheep, digestion is completed in 

 the fourth stomach : the first ^omach is very 

 capacious; and, when filled with food which 

 is swallowed hastily, and without much masti- 

 cation, is stimulated to contract upon its con- 

 tents, and is perhaps assisted by the efforts of 

 the animal ; that opening of the stomach which 

 communicates v» ith the (jesophagus and mouth, 

 being considerably larger than that which leads 



