346 ON THE ANATOMICAL PECULIARITIES 
of these is the pylorus already noticed, and on which, there- 
fore, I shall not dwell any longer. The second is an ex- 
creting duct, which must be more particularly mentioned. 
Situate in a sinus or cavity behind, and a little to the 
right of the pyloric opening, is a small nipple-like process, 
which projects into the surface of the membrane about 
1 line. The extremity of this process contains a minute 
orifice, which simply admits the point of a common-sized 
probe. This is the opening of the biliary duct. In the 
instance before me, though the probe entered, I found it 
impossible to carry it upwards into the gall-bladder, with- 
out using more force than I thought expedient ; but, when 
introduced from the gall-bladder, it went without diffi- 
culty into the duodenum, a circumstance which I ascribe 
to the transverse folds almost invariably found in the in- 
ner membrane of the common duct. 
On the opposite side of the pyloric opening, in a similar 
sinuous recess, is seen an orifice much larger, sufficiently 
so, indeed, to admit the tip of the middle finger. This 
opening leads into the interior of a large triangular- 
shaped organ, situate on the outer side of the bowel, and 
having the appearance of a pancreas. This organ it would 
be improper to describe at present, were it not almost ma- 
nifest that it performs an important and essential part of 
the process of digestion. Though differing from the other 
parts of the alimentary canal, in not possessing the cylin- 
drical shape and the tubular disposition, and in having no 
outlet, yet, as it contained part of the alimentary mass, and 
as its interior is lined with the same membrane as that 
which covers the duodenum, I think I am justified in ar- 
ranging it in the mean time with the latter organ. 
This body, then, which for want of a better name, I am 
obliged to term the pancreatoid, is of an irregular trian- 
gular shape, of a fleshy appearance, and of a bluish colour, 
