JUN 13 1900 



ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS 



ON THE 



MORPHOLOGY OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 

 OF THE CAT. 



Franklin Dexter, M.D, 

 {Assista7tt Professor of Anatomy hi the Harvard Medical School.') 



In a paper published about a year ago, entitled ' " On the 

 Morphology of the Digestive Tract of the Cat," I showed 

 that there was a period in its development when certain 

 portions of the intestine were contained in the cavity of the 

 umbilical cord, and that this cavity was continuous with the 

 abdominal coelom. The peculiar position of these portions 

 of the digestive tract was chiefly attributed to the enormous 

 size of the liver. This organ practically fills the abdominal 

 cavity, and so forces the intestines to develop in the cavity 

 of the umbilical cord. It was also noted that the liver de- 

 velops in the direction of least resistance. 



After a time those divisions of the intestine which are de- 

 veloped in the cavity of the umbilical cord leave it and enter 

 the abdominal ccelom. Their entrance takes place in a reg- 

 ular and definite order. 



The stomach and duodenum are always contained in the 

 abdominal ccelom, and never leave it. The first centimetre 

 or so of the jejunum would necessarily also be situated here, 

 but the greater part of it, as well as all of the ileum, the 

 caecum, and a short stretch of the colon, are contained in the 

 coelom of the cord. This short stretch of colon is continuous 

 with its- caudal portion, which is contained in the abdomi- 

 nal ccelom. The definite order of entrance is as follows: A 

 simultaneous entrance of the two extremities of the intestine, 



* His' Archiv., 1899. 



