^ STRUCTURE AND OFFICE OF THE STOMACH. 



c"hanges of form, so as to compose one connected chain, 

 from which we derive the fullest evidence of the power and 

 wisdom of their Creator. 

 Three different The stomachs of all ruminating animals have three dif- 

 structuresin ferent structures; the first of these is cuticular; the second 

 ruminants ^^^ ^ secreting surface, thrown into folds, on which are seen 

 the orifices of glands; and the third is smooth and more de- 

 licate in its texture, 

 andalsoof non- In the following account, it will be found that three similar 

 ruminants. structures are met with in the stomachs of quadrupeds 

 which do not ruminate, and that the gradation between the 

 most complex and most simple stomachs forms a uniformly 

 connected series, of greater extent than has been hitherto 

 supposed. 



To complete the view of this subject is too extensive a 



pursuit for an individual, whose professional duties occupy 



so large a portion of his time as mine necessarily do. All 



that can be expected from one so circumstanced is to give a 



general outline, leaving the minuter parts to be filled up by 



those who have more leisure, but by no means more zeal, 



for studies of this kind. 



Best mode of As the object of the present inquiry is to determine with 



♦xamining the ^^ much accuracy as possible the shape the stomach puts 



certain its OD, while performing its functions in the living body, and the 



shape and structure, which belongs to the different parts of its internal 

 Structure. . 



membrane, it became necessary to consider what would be 



the best mode of making such examinations. It was found, 

 that the stomach ought not to be in a distended state at the 

 time of the animal's death, for when this is the case, the air 

 which is let loose, or even the shaking of the contents, elon- 

 gates or stretches the muscular fibres, so as to enlarge the 

 cavity, and give it a form, by no means natural to it. This 

 partly arises from the weakness of the muscular fibres them- 

 Death destroys selves; but principally from the effect of death upon this 

 the rinidity of organ, which destroys the rigidity of its muscular libres, so 

 its fibres, t lie , , , -, , ^ , , . 



reverse of t"at they become easdy elongated, even when much short- 



which takes ened at the time death takes place. It is necessary to men- 

 ury m'usde"'^" *'°" *^^^^ circumstance, as it is the reverse of what happens 

 in the voluntary muscles, which ^re gicnerally known to be- 

 come ri^^id at that time, and it accounts for the real fprm of 



th§ 



