KUNGL. SV. VET. AKADBMIENS HANDLINGAB. BAND 49. N:0 7. S 



peripheric coil has on the fseces proves that the fluid contained in the non-digested 

 remains of the food-material is reabsorbed in this portion of the colon. If this fluid 

 (= water) can be used again by the organism, it must be useful for an animal which 

 lives in a country where the watersupply is scarce, to have such a peripheric coil 

 with the function mentioned. On the other hand it is not necessary for an animal 

 which has a rich watersupply. Some of the present members of the Bovine group are 

 decidedly water-loving. It is possible or even probable that their ancestors have had 

 similar habits in such a decided degree that the peripheric colic coil could be reduced 

 as being no longer useful because no saving of the water was needed, and in such 

 a case the reabsorbtion of the water in the colon would only be an unnecessary work 

 for the organism. 



The kidneys of the African Buffalo are strongly lobulated (conf. PI. 1, Fig. 2). 

 The kidney of the bull measured 19 cm. in length by 9 in breadth. About 25 lobules 

 can be discerned on the surface of the organ. 



The lobiilation of the kidney is another characteristic indicating the affinity 

 of this animal with the Common Ox. Since I have had the opportunity of seeing 

 African Buffaloes in their natural conditions and of studying their habits as well as 

 their internal anatomy I am perfectly convinced about the very close relationship 

 between these animals and the other members of the Bovine group, especially with 

 the Asiatic Buffaloes. 



Among the modern Ruminants, as far as I know, lobulated kidneys are met 

 with only in the subfamily Bovince. 



Otherwise this peculiar structure of the kidney appears in several different 

 groups of mammals. The subdivision of the kidney in small lobules reaches its ex- 

 treme in the Whales especially, the Mystacoceti. Lobulated kidneys are also found 

 in the Otters, Sea-Otter' and Bears ^ and, although of a somewhat modified type,^ 

 in the Seals as well. It is thus with the exception of the Bears* (and Bovince) ani- 

 mals with aquatic habits which have these organs lobulated. Ctjvier put the lobu- 

 lation of the kidneys of the aquatic animals in connection with the breathing at 

 irregular intervals of these animals when they were diving, and attributed to the 

 hibernation of the Bears a similar effect. It has, however, been pointed out before 

 this that other hibernating animals have not been influenced in a similar way with 

 fegard to their kidneys by this habit. It may also be added that all Bears do not 

 hibernate. 



' Stellee counted 106 small renculi in Latax lutris. 



^ In the family Procyonidce the kidneys are not lobulated even in the foetal stage as I have stated by 

 examining a foetus of Nasua. 



' Conf. Geehaedt: Zur Morphologie der Saugetierniere. Verb. d. Deutsch. Zool. Ges. Basel 1911, p. 267. 



* Among the present Bears it is only one viz. the Polar Bear which has real aquatic habits, even if the 

 Bears of Alaska, Kamtschatka etc. are clever in fishing, and all Bears are good swimmers. But it is quite pos- 

 sible or even probable, that their ancestors have been somewhat more water-loving without being real water- 

 animals. They might have lived in swamps and moist places at the borders of lakes etc. Some features of 

 the morphology of the Bears may be explained by such an orgin, as their plantigrade feet, their heavy and 

 clumsy bodily structure etc. 



