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l.etwpen the bnse of the Tongue and the upper opening of the 

 larynx can be isolated as a special pouch for physiological 

 purposes and is capable of holding a fair amount of fluid, which 

 may possibly be supplemented by gradual regurgitation from 

 the stomach. The trunk introduced through the month can, by 

 siiction, take up the fluid accumulated in the pharyngeal pouch to 

 bo utilized subsequently either for throwing over the surface of 

 the body or for drinking. Dr. Watson has carefully examined, 

 and given theories as to the physiological value of the special 

 anatomical features of the pharynx of the elephant, he says 

 "an elephant can, as the quotations sufficiently prove, with- 

 draw water from his stomach in two ways : first it may be 

 regurgitated directly into the nasal passages by the action of 

 the diaphragm and abdominal muscles [I consider this view 

 open to grave doubt, (J.H.S.)] the soft palate being at the same 

 time depressed to prevent the entrance of water into the mouth. 

 Having in this manner filled the large nasal passages communi- 

 cating with the trunk, the water contained in them is then forced 

 through the trunk by means of a powerful expiration ; or, in the 

 i^ecoud place, the water may be withdrawn from the cavity of the 

 nioutii by means of the trunk inserted into it." We are rather 

 inclined to agree with Miall and Greenwood in considering the 

 pharyngeal pouch as in the main concerned in the formation of the 

 masticated food into pellets, a sort of anatomical compensation 

 for the very imperfect condition of development of the soft 

 '• parts (lips, cheeks, and tongue) of the front opening of the 

 elephant's mouth. 



We must next consider certain peculiarities and physiological 

 views concerning the action of the stomach and oesophagus. 

 The Gullet is rather small in calibre for so large an animal and 

 throughout its extent presents voluntai-y muscular fibre, so 

 arranged as to admit movements of food pellets either up or down 

 the passage. The mucous membrane of the gullet does not, as 

 in the horse, extend unaltered in appearance into the stomach to 

 line its left extremity. There has been described and figured a 

 band of muscle running from the posterior part of the windpij)© 

 to the gullet which it has been supposed would so raise the sto- 

 mach as to assist vomition. Recent very careful researches have 

 uot shown this muscle, which must have been very exceptional in 



