MUCOUS AND SEROUS MEMBRANES. 
75 
It is furnished with blood vessels, nerves, etc. In health it is 
of a delicate pink colour ; in fever and inflammations it becomes 
reddish, and the minute blood vessels are frequently injected ; when 
the liver is deranged they assume a yellowish tint ; and in debility 
and anaemia the membrane is usually pale and bloodless. In the 
elephant the colour of the mucous membrane covering the mouth, 
tongue and palate is easy to note ; sometimes that covering the 
eye can also be seen, and this latter being of a highly delicate 
structure shows any changes in a marked manner. 
Serous Membrane 
Is a firm white membrane lining the closed cavities of the body, 
i.e., those not communicating with the external air. The membrane 
is reflected over the organs contained within these cavities. Its 
duty being to protect and keep them in position also by means of a 
very small quantity of lubricant fluid (serous fluid) which it secretes, 
it permits the organs to glide freely over each other without injury. 
In particular positions the membrane receives distinctive names : 
that portion lining the thorax is called the pleura ; that lining the 
abdominal cavity, the peritoneum ; while the portion which suspends 
the bowel is known as the mesentery. In the elephant the peri- 
toneum is very thick, and there is a general absence of fat which 
is usually to be found in most animals. 
Muscular System. 
This system is remarkable, in that a large amount of tendinous 
fibre runs through the muscles, making them very tough. About 
the shoulders and buttocks the muscles are fleshy, but even here 
there is a considerable admixture of tendinous fibre. The flesh is 
much relished by Burmans, Shans and Karens. 
