1862.] AND BILE OF THE VERTEBRATA. 137 



euchore), Nylgau {Portax pictits) 2, also in the Muffldn {Ovis ninsi' 

 mon) and Cape Sheep (0. capensis). 



It was absent in three Giraffes (Camelojjardalis giraffa) that I 

 have examined, as well as in the following: — Duiker Boo {Antilope 

 meryens), Bonte-boc {A. pygarga), Addax {A. addax), Bubaline 

 Antelope (^A. biibalis), Philautomba Antelope {A. maxwellii), Grys- 

 boc {A. melo.notis), Reh-boc (^A. capreola), and Angora Goat {Capra 

 angorensis) ; but, speaking from meniorj'-, I believe I have seen it in 

 other specimens of the Goat. 



[The figures after the names indicate the number dissected.] 

 The form of the gall-bladder of the Ruminants is generally some- 

 what pear-shaped ; but the circumference of the neck is nearly equal 

 to that of the fundus. It is generally of large proportionate size : 

 that (of the Ox) on the table holds eleven ounces. In an old Leucoryx 

 Antelope I found it nearly as capacious ; but in two younger speci- 

 mens the gall-bladders were much less. The capacity in the smaller 

 Ruminants varies from six drachms to three ounces. The Ox, I be- 

 lieve, has the largest gall-bladder of any terrestrial animal — a fact of 

 considerable interest when it is remembered that a vast number of 

 Ruminants the food and digestive apparatus of which are of a very 

 similar description are unprovided with this reservoir. 



Bii'ds. In the great majority of birds that I have dissected, the 

 form is very similar : it is mostly ovoid ; in some oblong ; and in a 

 few, as in the Cassowary {Casuarius galeatus). Cormorant {Felecanns 

 carbo), and Guan {Penelope pileata), nearly cylindrical. In the 

 Double-wattled Cassowary {Casuai'ius bicarunculatus) it resembles 

 more the gall-bladder of a mammal than that of any bird I have seen. 

 The capacity is very uniform, and generally bears a near relation to 

 that of the bird. As with quadrupeds, there appears to be no import- 

 ant difference between the animal and vegetable feeders, or in those 

 that take a mixed diet. Its capacity is from three to four drachms 

 in the Cranes and Storks, in the Cassowary about six drachms, in the 

 Vultures and Eagles from two to three drachms, in the Great Bustard 

 ( 0^2* ^arc?rt) four drachms, in the Brush H\xx\ej {Talegalla lathami) 

 three drachms. 



As is well known, the Pigeons, Parrots, Mackaws, Parrakeets, Lories, 

 Toucans, Toracos, and some other birds are said to be without a gall- 

 bladder. I have dissected many of the above-named ; but, as I took 

 it for granted that this organ did not exist, I was not so careful in 

 the inspections as I should have been. Cvivier says it does not exist 

 in the Cuckoos (Cuculida) ; but I have found it both in the Spotted 

 Cuckoo of Europe (Cuctdus glandarius) and in the Java Cuckoo 

 (C 07'ientalis). In the Ostrich {Stfuthio camelus) and in the Rhea 

 (Rhea americana) I examined, it was absent, but present (as I have 

 stated) in both species of Cassowary. The Emu I have not dissected. 

 Reptiles. In the Chelonian Reptiles the gall-bladder is very large. 

 In some of the large Turtles it will contain from two to three ounces 

 of fluid. In the Saurians it is likewise capacious. In a large Alli- 

 gator, weighing about two hundredweight, its capacity was about 

 four ounces ; but in many Alligators and Crocodiles that I have in- 



