CERVIDE 313 
It is nearly globose in shape, and receives its name on account of 
the peculiar arrangement of its mucous membrane which forms 
shallow hexagonal cells all over its inner surface. Running along 
its upper wall there is a deep groove, coursing from the first to the 
third stomach. This groove plays an important part in the act of 
rumination. Its walls are muscular, like those of the viscus with 
which it is associated, which allows its calibre to be altered. Some- 
times it completely closes round so as to become converted into a 
tube by the opposition of its edges. At others it forms an open 
canal. The manyplies is globular in form, and its lining membrane 
is raised into longitudinal folds or lamine arranged very much like 
the leaves of a book, and very close together. Their surfaces 
are roughened by the presence of small projections or papille. 
The reed is the proper digestive stomach, corresponding with the 
same organ in man. Its shape is somewhat pyriform, and its 
walls are formed of a smooth mucous membrane, which secretes the 
gastric juice. 
When the food is first swallowed it is conveyed into the paunch, 
and after undergoing a softening process there it is regurgitated 
into the mouth, and undergoes a further trituration by the molar 
teeth and mixture with the secretion of the salivary and buccal 
glands. It is then swallowed again, but now passes directly through 
the before-mentioned groove into the manyplies, and, after filtering 
through the numerous folds of the lining membrane of this cavity, 
finally reaches the fourth or digestive stomach. 
The placenta of the Pecora is characterised by the foetal villi 
being collected into groups or cotyledons, which may present either 
a convex or a concave surface to the uterus. These cotyledons are 
received into permanent elevations in the mucous membrane of the 
uterus, the surfaces of which present a curvature which is the 
reverse of the cotyledons. 
Family CERVIDA. 
Frontal appendages, when present, in the form of antlers. First 
molar, at least, in both jaws brachydont. Two orifices to the lachrymal 
duct, situated on or inside the rim of the orbit. An antorbital or 
lachrymal vacuity of such dimensions as to exclude the lachrymal bone 
from articulation with the nasal. Upper canines usually present in 
both sexes, and sometimes attaining a very great size in the male 
(see Fig. 134). Lateral digits of both fore and hind feet almost 
always present, and frequently the distal ends of the metapodials. 
Placenta with few cotyledons. Grall-bladder absent (except in 
Moschus). This family contains numerous species, having a wide 
geographical distribution, ranging in the New World from the Arctic 
