38 Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology of the 
nion prevails as to the manner in which this is effected. We 
have previously remarked, that the food when first gathered is but 
slightly masticated. This crude food in being sw allowed proceeds 
from the gullet direct into the anterior division of the rumen, 
without entering the oesophageal canal, as has been described by 
most authors. Pellet after pellet is swallowed until repletion of 
the paunch is produced, when rumination usually commences. 
The act of rumination, although under the control of the will, is 
partly excited by the nature of the aliment and the amount of 
the distention of the paunch : it may be said to consist of the 
passage of a portion of the ingesta up the oesophagus, its re-mas- 
tication and insalivation, together with its re-deglutition. The 
prevailing opinion is, that the food passes from the rumen into the 
reticulum, where it is moulded into a small ball, and by an ener- 
getic contraction of that viscus is forced into the oesophagus ; and 
that in its second descent, '• either being of a softer consistence, 
or not being so violently driven down the gullet, or by some in- 
stinctive influence, it passes over the Jloor of the canal without 
separating the pillars, and enters the manyplus, or third stomach."* 
We do not agree with these statements, and are of opinion that 
the food in its second descent goes into the rumen ; and also that it 
is propelled directly by this viscus into the gullet to be remasticated. 
Thus we ascribe the same function to the rumen which is said to 
belong to the reticulum. The situation of the second stomach 
must interfere with its supposed property of propelling upwards 
the pellet, for it is placed nearly at a right angle with the course 
of that tube. This objection does not apply to the anterior divi- 
sion of the rumen, which we believe to be the part from whence 
the food is ejected. The muscular coat is thicker here than 
elsewhere, and its fibres are continuous, as before remarked, with 
those of the lower part of. the oesophagus ; besides which we find 
them implanted into a strong fleshy band, which crosses the 
viscus in such a direction that it serves as a fulcrum from which 
they can act. (See g, fig. 4.) Thus we see that even upon mecha- 
nical principles the rumen is adapted for this special purpose. 
If the remasticated food descended directly into the third stomach, 
we should expect to find that organ of a proportionate size to 
contain as much as would undergo the process during at least one 
rumination ; for all authors agree that the food is detained for some 
time in the omasum, and it is well known that an ox will con- 
tinue to ruminate for upwards of an hour. The omasum, how- 
ever, in this animhl, is far too small for such a purpose, and in the 
sheep it is relatively smaller. If also it be true that such aliment 
does not pass into the rumen, " because it is less irritating to the 
* Youatt on Cattle, p. 432. 
