INTESTINAL TRACT OF MAMMALS. 



235 



The great increase in size of Meckel's tract, the position of the 

 csecum, if present, as is usually the case, close to the distal 

 extremity of the recurrent limb of the pendant loop, and the 

 presence of a distinct expansion of the hind-gut, although thnt 

 is relatively short, are the most salient features. The pattern is 

 quite different from that of the Manatee. It resembles the 

 pattern of the Cetacean gut only in the extreme length of the 

 small intestine ; it differs notably in the position of the c?ecum 

 and in the hind-gut. As I shall show presently, it resembles 

 closely the pattern of terrestrial Carnivora. the difference being 

 chiefly the lengthening of Meckel's tract, which is best explnined 

 as an adnptation to diet, 



Sub-Order F i s s i p e d i a. Proteles cristatus (text-fig. 28). 



In 1905 I described and figui'ed the patterns of the gut of a 

 number of Fissipede Carnivora (Mitchell, 1905, p. 495, figs. 33 

 to 38) and have very little to add. I have had the opportunity, 



Text-fiffure 28. 



Intestinal tract of Proteles crisiatKS. 

 S. Cut end of !?ut nearest stomach. R. Cut end of gut nearest rectum. C. Crecum. 



however, of examining an example of the Aard Wolf {Proteles 

 cristatus), an animal that is now seldom seen in menageries. 8o 

 great is the uniformity of pattern amongst the terrestrial carni- 

 vores that Proteles may serve as an example of all. The duodenal 



