175 



"The duodenum was found to commence with a large dilatation 

 or sacculus, projecting towards the cesophagus like a ccecum; in which 

 respect it resembles Coelogenus as described by Sir E. Home. In 

 Capromys, Anoema, and Dasyprocta a similar dilatation, though not 

 so considerable, has also been noticed. In circumference at this part 

 the duodenum measured 4^- inches ; the decrease is gradual, and where 

 the biliary duct enters the circumference is 3 inches ; a little di- 

 stance below this it is 24-. To follow the natural coui'se of this intes- 

 tine was out of my power ; it has a mesentery, however, through 

 its whole extent. 



"The total length of the small intestines was 16 feet 4 inches, 

 and their mean circumference 1-|-. 



" The cacum was of large size, making a circular turn at its base 

 and gradually diminishing in volume as it pi'oceeded. It was 

 puckered into saccuU by two muscular bands, one on each side ; 

 which were not however traceable quite to its extremity, but were 

 tolerably strong in its wide basal part. In its general figure the 

 ccEcum had no unapt resemblance to a ram's horn. In length it 

 measured about I foot 10 inches, its greatest circumference 8 inches. 



" The ileum terminated in a sort of sacculus at the base of the colon, 

 beyond which projected the round head of the ceecum : the valve in- 

 dicating the separation of the ccecum from the colon is very ap- 

 parent in the dried preparation. 



" The colon began large, but gradually became narrow; on leaving 

 the ccecum it was slightly sacculated for a short distance, but this 

 appearance was speedily lost : its mean circumference was 2^ inches. 

 The commencement of the colon was not only somewhat larger than 

 the succeeding portion, but made an abrupt turn from the ccecum, 

 and after a course of 1 foot 5 inches suddenly folded upon itself, the 

 reflected length running down for the distance of 11 inches, when it 

 turned suddenly back again, but did not adhere so closely to the pre- 

 vious fold, as that did to the first length ; it then became very small, 

 and soon dipped down to constitute the rectum. The whole of this 

 long loose fold reminded me of the duodenum of Birds. A similar 

 structure is recorded by Mr. Owen in his notes on the dissection of 

 Capromys Fournerii, as existing in that animal. It was near the end 

 of the first loose fold, as also in Capromys, that the fceces began to 

 assume a solid form in separate oval masses. Tlie total length of 

 the large intestines was 4 feet 4 inches. 



" The kidneys were of an oval form, and very soft in their structure ; 

 their surface, the tunic being removed, presented a granular appear- 

 ance. The two portions were very distinct. The jseZuw was small ; 

 the papilla single. The right kidney was somewhat higher than the 

 left. The length of each was 2 inches, the breadth l-f. The supra- 

 renal glands were long and rounded, of a greyish yellow externally; 

 but their internal structure was like soft liver : each had a small 

 cavity within. Their length was 1 inch. Their situation was me- 

 siad of the upper extremity of each kidney. 



" The lungs were of small volume, and consisted of three lobes 

 of nearly equal size, and one very small lobe on the right ; and of 

 three lobes on the left side. 



