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the specimen from wliicli it was figured. The stomach is elongat- 

 ed, small, and remarkably uniform in diameter throughout. It 

 has no cuticular portion of its mucous memlirane, but at its left 

 extremity has a large cul-de-sac of a conical shape, the lining 

 membrane of which presents slight transverse folds. Sir B. 

 Tennent supposes this cul-de-sac acts as a water Stomach, a view 

 which has neither been proved nor disproved. However, it is 

 certain that the elephant can, by insertion of the trunk into 

 the mouth, obtain, to throw over himself, more fluid than could be 

 stored either in the pharyngeal pouch or in any other cavity in 

 the throat and the arrangements of the oesophagus are such as to 

 facilitate regurgitation. The only other use to which such ar- 

 rangements could bo put is for rumination, but we have no evi- 

 dence that this occurs in the elephant. VoMixiON however, does 

 occur very freely under certain circumstances. Gilchnst informs 

 us that sometimes, as a result of the animal being washed while 

 heated, violent vomition sets in very suddenly, due to spasms of 

 the stomach and active reversed peristalsis of the oesophagus. 

 Tlie stomach is so irritable that immediate rejection of aliment 

 whether liquid or solid takes place, a condition which continues 

 for several hours, hiccough and great distress ai'o also present, 

 the former of which symptoms seems to support the view that 

 spasm of the diaphragm is present in these ciises and causes ob- 

 struction at the posterior part of the gullet. At length it is 

 found that food is retained but only as a result of paralysis of 

 the gullet, into which the food passes, and in which it is accumu- 

 lated, preventing the complete deglutition of freshly masticated 

 pellets, for the animal continues to feed. Shortly a hard swelling 

 becomes perceptible in the neck along the course of the cesopha^ 

 gus and the animal remains unable to swallow either food- 

 or medicine ; at length mortification of the gullet sets in, as de- 

 noted by general coldness, after which death soon occurs. 

 Whether the impaction of the oesophagus results from or is the 

 cause of paralysis of the organ has not been clearly ascertained, 

 the former view seems most probable. This disease is said 

 to occur at any season and to prove very fatal. There are 

 several points in connection with it which have not been 

 thoroughly explained ; thus we ought to know why the vomiting 

 occurs, what is the actual seat of primary disorder, and on 



