422 THE COMMON CORMORANT. 



breadth l^j. The liver has two very unequal lobes, the right 5 inches, the 

 left 3 inches long; the former 2\ broad, the latter If. The gall-bladder is 

 2i long, -ff in diameter, rounded, but not much enlarged at the extremity. 



The oesophagus is 22^ inches long; at its upper part when dilated upwards 

 of two inches wide, extremely thin, its circular fibres distinct. It is con- 

 tracted in the whole length of the thorax, where its smallest diameter is T \, 

 the largest T §; but this part, which in the ordinary state has its inner coat 

 folded into numerous longitudinal wrinkles, is capable of being dilated so as to 

 present a diameter of more than 3 inches, when the internal rugae disappears. 

 The proventriculus seems at first to form part of the stomach; its walls are 

 extremely thick and studded with glandules, disposed in two circular 

 patches, which are separated by a space of about -^ °f an inch. The stomach 

 properly so called is very small; its muscular coat thin, but with two distinct 

 tendons. It is of an oblong form, compressed, and at its upper parts has a 

 rounded lobe, from which the intestine comes off. The inner coat is thick, 

 soft, and rugous. The pylorus has a circular marginal rim. The intestine, 

 which is 8 feet long, is at its upper part yf in diameter, towards the coeca ff . 

 The rectum is 7 inches long, its diameter for 4j inches is ^ the cloaca 

 globular, 2 T 2 2 in diameter; the coeca j\ long. The cystic duct enters one 

 inch below the hepatic; between them enters one of the pancreatic ducts, the 

 other 2 inches farther up. The distance from the pylorus to the hepatic 

 duct is 16 J inches. 



The lungs extend to the kidneys. The ovules exceedingly small and 

 numerous. In the proventriculus and lower part of the oesophagus were 

 many small ascarides. The contents of the stomach were a few bones of 

 fishes. 



Although I have not actually observed that Cormorants have the power of 

 disgorging such substances as they are unable to digest, I should not be 

 surprised to find this to be the case, when their habits are investigated in a 

 state of domestication. 



