1867.] DR. E. CRISP ON THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 693 



Judging from the length of the intestinal tube in this young animal, 

 and assuming that the rate of increase would be somewhat similar 

 to that of the Giraffe, the old Hippopotamus would possess an ali- 

 mentary tube from 180 to 206 feet in length, far longer than that of 

 any other pachyderm. Whilst upon this subject I may mention that 

 the alimentary canal of the male Giraffe that died recently at the 

 Gardens measured 245 feet. 



The spleen, like that of the Hogs, Tapirs, Elephants, Rhinoceros, 

 and Peccaries, is long and narrow, whilst in the Solidungula it is tri- 

 angular. In the little Hyrax its shape is nearer to that of the 

 Equid(S. 



In the article " Pachydermata," in 'Todd's Cyclopa2dia,' p. 8/1, 

 it is said " that the spleen in pachydermatous animals differs in no 

 noticeable respect from that of other quadrupeds." But the spleen 

 of the pachyderms is so peculiar as regards its form, in the situation 

 of the vein, and in the arrangement of the venous valves, that it can 

 scarcely be mistaken for that of any animal of a different class. 

 Indeed this organ presents such a uniformity in shape, in the va- 

 rious divisions of the vertebrata, that the family to which the animal 

 belongs may generally be told by it — a remark that will not apply to 

 any other viscus. 



The pancreas in the Hippopotamus, as might be supposed from 

 the complicated stomach, is more branched than in the other pachy- 

 derms, and one portion of it is placed close to the pylorus, where 

 probably a small duct enters ; but, as I said in my first paper, I 

 omitted to examine this part. 



The liver in the pachydermata presents some curious difPerenoes 

 in the number of its lobes ; and in speaking of these I reckon only 

 the main lobes that are seen on its upper surface, the elevations on 

 the under part, as I have said before, not properly coming under the 

 term lobe. 



In the Hippopotamus, as I have stated, the organ is but slightly 

 divided ; in the Elephant it is also bilobular. 



In the Rhinoceros (Owen) there are three lobes. The Hogs 

 have a liver of four main lobes, and generally a pointed slip that 

 may be called a fifth lobe. The liver of the Peccaries consists of 

 four main lobes and of four smaller lobes ; that of the Tapirs of 

 three main divisions and of three supplementary lobes ; whilst the 

 liver of the little Hyrax has six main lobes. In the Horses (Equidce) 

 there are four chief lobes. 



Gall-bladder. — The Hippopotamus*, Rhinoceros, Tapirs, Pecca- 

 ries, Hyrax, and the Equidce have no gall-bladder; but it is present 

 in all the Pigs. In the Wart-Hog (Phacoc/icerus) it is very thick, 

 and partly imbedded in the substance of the liver. In the Elephant, 

 as figured in 'Todd's Cyclopfedia,' it is seated between the coats of 

 the duodenum, and has four compartments. 



* Professor Owen (Trans, vol. iv. p. 44), " On the Anatomy of the Rliinoceros," 

 attributes the absence of the gall-bladder in this animal to the small size of the 

 stomach ; hut this explanation will scarcely apply to the Hippopotamus, nor will 

 it, I think, to vertebrates generally — the Deer {Cervidce) for example. 



