23 



ture is indented as it were by the ends of the converging folds of the 

 lining membrane, about ten in number, which are continued into the 

 pyloric cavity. The length of the cardiac slit is 1 inch ; that of the 

 intercommunicating aperture is 1 inch 3 lines. 



The pyloric division of the Anteater's stomach is remarkable for 

 the thickness of its muscular tunic and the density of its epithelial 

 lining, which convert it into a veritable gizzard. 



The muscular coat varies from one inch to half an inch in thick- 

 ness ; at the middle of the cavity it is separated from the lining 

 membrane by an unusual accumulation of the elastic submucous cel- 

 lular tissue, which is most accumulated in the upper wall of the 

 cavity. A very small proportion, only, of food can enter at one 

 time into this cavity, to be subjected to the triturating force of its 

 parietes, operating with the aid of swallowed particles of sand in the 

 comminution of the unmasticated or imperfectly masticated termites. 



The area of the pyloric cavity, as exposed by a vertical longitu- 

 dinal section, appears a mere linear, slightly sinuous tract, with a 

 dilatation near the pylorus, due to a kind of valvular protuberance 

 of the upper wall projecting towards that aperture. But, when the 

 pyloric cavity is bisected transversely, its area then presents a cres- 

 centic figure, owing to the protuberance formed by the thicker mus- 

 cular tunic and the more abundant submucous elastic tissue in the 

 upper parietes. The lower longitudinal plicae, which commenced on 

 the cardiac side of the intercommunicating aperture, give a longitu- 

 dinally ridged character to the inner surface of the cavity. 



This character is changed, near the pylorus, for a reticular rugo- 

 sity : the pylorus, when viewed from the duodenal side, presents a 

 crescentic form, with the horns of the crescent directed upwards. 

 The lining membrane of the duodenum soon becomes smooth. 



Mr. Gould communicated the following letter, lately received by 

 him from M. Elsey, Esq., the Surgeon and Naturalist attached to 

 the Expedition under the command of A. C. Gregory, Esq., now 

 engaged in exploring the north-western and northern portions of 

 Australia. Mr. Gould considered this communication to be of great 

 value, inasmuch, as, besides mentioning that the writer had acquired 

 an extensive collection of birds, it contains numerous very interesting 

 observations respecting the various species which had been met with 

 in the neighbourhood of the Victoria River Depot, N.W. Australia, 

 lat. south" 1 7° 34' 30" ; their interest being much enhanced by the 

 circumstance of many of them referring to several forms not pre- 

 viously known to occur in that part of the country. 



Victoria River Depot, N.W. Australia, 

 S. Lat. 17° 34' 30". 

 June 1856. 

 My dear Sir, 



I am sorry I cannot send you any account of large collec- 

 tions or extensive ornithological notes. Circumstances over which 



