161 



" While on the subject of the Kangaroo, I take the opportunity 

 to add a ^e\v remarks on the disposition of the stoniach of this ani- 

 mal. From the account of this part by Sir Everard Home it would 

 appear that the oesophagus is encompassed by the stomach in a re- 

 markable manner [Phil. Trans, vol. xcvii. p, 152. J : but this dispo- 

 sition I have not been able to observe in four dissections of the Kan- 

 garoo ; nor, from the peritoneal connexions of the visais, can it ever 

 occur in the living animal. The stomach, indeed, is situated in a 

 manner very analogous to what is ordinarily found in the Mam- 

 malia, excepting that from its great size it occupies a larger space 

 in the abdomen. 



"On laying open that cavity the sacculated character of the sto- 

 mach sufficiently distinguishes it from every other part of the intes- 

 tinal canal, and it generally extends as low down as the left lumbar 

 region. The left extremity lies in the epigastric and left hypochon- 

 driac region, folded upon itself and sternad of the cesophagiis. This 

 part must be turned to the left, and a little dissection performed, 

 before the oesophagus can be brought into view, when it will be seen 

 long and narrow, running 4 or 5 inches within the abdomen before 

 it terminates. The extent of the stomach to the left of the cardiac 

 orifice is about 5 inches, and the termination of the cavity at that 

 end is bifid, as represented by Mr. Clift. From the cardiac orifice 

 the stomach enlarges in bulk, and descends to the left lumbar region ; 

 it then turns obliquely upwards, crossing the abdomen to the right 

 hi/pochondrium, where the pyloric end makes a sudden turn down- 

 wards and backwards, and terminates in the duodenum just above 

 the right kidney. From this part and the duodenum a process of 

 peritoneum is continued to the right iliac region, firmly binding them 

 down in that situation. 



" On inflating the stomach before any of its connexions are 

 destroyed, the only alteration in its position is to raise it, and 

 throw its lower boundary forwards : but on dividing the peri- 

 toneal band which ties down the pylorus and cutting across the 

 duodenum beyond the ligature, and then continuing the inflation, 

 the pyloric end of the stomach immediately rises and winds round 

 behind the a;sophagus to the left side of the abdomen. It is there- 

 fore most probable, that the description alluded to was taken after 

 the stomach had been removed from the body and blown up ; as 

 the beautiful drawing certainly was, which illustrates the descrip- 

 tion. 



"The account given in the Paper referred to of the cuticle, villous 

 surface, and glands on the interior of the stomach, perfectly accords 

 with nature: but the sacculi resemble more nearly those appended 

 to the first cavity of the stomach of the Llajna than the human colon; 

 and I should think the former a more natural analogy." 



Mr. Owen also read the following Notes on the anatomy of the 

 American Tapir, Tapir Americanus, Gmel. 



"The death of the male American Tapir having afforded an 0|)por- 

 tunity of examining its anatomical structure, I proceed to lay before 



