INTESTINAL TRACT OF MAMMALS. 



489 



The character of the pattern displayed by the Rodents as a whole is remarkably 

 homogeneous, and lends little support to the subdivisions of the group, which rest on 

 the characters of other organs. The gut is elongated, no doubt in relation to the 

 vegetarian habit of the members of the group. The duodenal loop is generally well 

 separated. Meckel's tract, as in Mammals generally, varies only in the degree to 



CLi[5-F] 



Intestinal Tract of Lepus euniculus. 



S. Cut end of duodenum near stomach. 

 II. Cut end of rectum near anus. 

 C. Ca;eum. 

 CLi. Colic loop. 

 CL2 [S.F.]. Second colic loop acting as supra-Meekelian fold. 

 X. X. Cut ends of posterior mesenteric vein. 

 8.R. Sacculus rotundus. 



which its elongation has led to the elaboration of its minor loops. The special 

 characters are to be found in the hind-gut. The cfecum is capacious, and shows a 

 marked tendency to being spirally coiled, the coiling involving part of Meckel's tract 



