36 Anatomy, Pliysiologij, and Pathology of the 
investijration, as in them we find four distinct stomachs or recep- 
tacles lor the aliment; of these one only is the true digestive 
orsran. The nani<'s en to them are, the rumen (pavinch), the reti- 
culum {howycomh), the omasum (manylolds), and the abomasum 
(rennet) : fip^ures "2 and 3 re])resent the right and left view of the 
stomachs of the sheep, as seen in situ. The rumen is by far 
the largest of these viscera ; it inclines to the left side, and oc- 
cupies a considerable portion of the abdominal cavity, extendiriij 
from the diaphragm in front to the pelvis behind. Like the 
other stomachs, it has three tunics or coats ; the external being 
continuous with the ordinary serous lining of the abdomen : be- 
neath this is placed the muscular coat, and on the inner surface 
the mucous, which is covered by a thick epithelium. The mus- 
cular coat is thicker in some parts than in others, and its fibres are 
crossed by strong fleshy bands, which divide the viscus into four 
pouches. Tlie accompanying figure of the external view of the 
rumen of the ox, as seen on the right side, where the bands 
are chiefly developed, shows the divisions ; they are, however, 
better dehneated in the subjoined sketch of the interior of the 
rumen and reticulum. The compartments serve for the retention 
of the food, which is thereby softened by exposure to the secretion 
of the organ ; they also perform other important offices, which 
will be presently explained. The membrane which lines them 
is more or less papillatcd throughout, but particularly at the in- 
ferior j)art of each pouch , the bands, however, have comparatively 
Fig. 1. 
c, The Anterior Poiicli. d, The Middle. e. The Postero-Superior. 
/, Tlie Postero- Inferior. 
