1867.] 



DR. E. CRISP ON THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 



Figs. 1 & 2. 



1 



003 



Skin-glands of the Hippopotamus. 



The following are my notes of the dissection of the viscera : 



On opening the abdomen the mesentery is seen moderately co- 

 vered with fat ; but the large stomach, which is full of food, occupies 

 the chief part of the abdominal space. The length of the intestinal 

 canal, which is not furnished with a caecum, is as follows : 



ft. in. 



Oesophagus 2 10 



Stomachs 5 ] o 



Small intestines 99 8 



Large intestines 10 2 



Total ns 6 



The commencement of the large intestines is indicated by a sudden 

 enlargement of the tube, and by the gland to be hereafter noticed. 



The stomach (fig. 3, p. 604) has a very peculiar form, and differs 

 materially from that of any other pachyderm, indeed from that of any 

 other animal. The oesophagus (A), the lining membrane of which 

 is smooth, but arranged in slight longitudinal folds, terminates be- 

 tween the first and second stomachs (B, C). These cavities are of 

 about equal size, of a somewhat cylindrical form when distended. The 

 right- cavity (B) measures 19 inches in length and 6 at its widest 

 part ; it will contain about three quarts of water. Tlie left cavity 

 (C) is 21 inches in length and 4^ at its widest part; in capacit'y 

 it is about the same as the last, as it is thinner and more distensible*. 

 Proceeding from between these cavities is the third stomach (D), of a 

 cyhndrical form, 20 inches in length and .0 at its widest part ; it holds 

 about three quarts. The fourth and last stomach (E) is of a rounded 

 form, 14 inches in length and 10 at its widest part ; its capacity is 

 about six quarts. The interior of these viscera present a remarkable 

 appearance. The oesophagus (A) appears to enter equally into both 

 the first cavities ; but in the right cavity is a strong muscular slip (1) 

 of a somewhat crescentic shape, extending for about 6 inches along 

 its upper part, the object of which appears to be to direct the food 

 into the left stomach ; but other observers may take a different view 

 of this question. The left cavity is furnished with about sixty-five 

 longitudinal rows of detached papillse of a rounded form, elevated 

 about a line above the surface, giving somewhat the appearance of 



