1891-92.] Prof. Sir Wm. Turner on the Lesser Rorqual. 51 
calibre a few inches before it joined the stomach. This compart- 
ment was separated from the 2nd compartment by a deep constric- 
tion visible on the ventral and dorsal surfaces of the stomach, 
but scarcely marked on the anterior or oesophageal aspect. 
When cut into, the oesophagus was seen to open into the 1st 
compartment about 5 inches to the left of the large opening of 
communication between the 1st and 2nd compartments. The 
wall of the 1st compartment had a muscular coat, the fasciculi 
of which, distinctly marked, ran for the most part transversely 
around the wall. The mucous membrane lining this compartment 
was relatively smooth as compared with that lining the 2nd com- 
partment, and the epithelium covering its free surface could be 
stripped off as a relatively thick and horny layer continuous with the 
horny epithelium which covered the rugose mucous membrane of the 
oesophagus. When examined microscopically, it was seen to resemble 
the oesophageal epithelium, and to consist of stratified squamous 
cells. 
A strong septum separated the 1st and 2nd compartments, 
the anterior free edge of which was crescentic, and left a large 
opening, about 1 foot in diameter, between the two compart- 
ments. The boundary of this opening, opposite the crescentic edge 
of the septum, was formed by the anterior wall of the stomach about 
5 inches to the right of the orifice of the oesophagus, and at this 
boundary the mucous linings of the two compartments, which 
differed greatly in their appearance, became continuous with each 
other. From the size of this opening I believe that it is usually 
patent, and that the food can pass from the 1st into the 2nd 
compartment, or regurgitate from the 2nd into the 1st. 
The 2nd compartment, somewhat cylindriform in shape, was 
placed immediately to the right of the 1st. It passed antero- 
posteriorly and almost parallel to it for 3 feet 4 inches, and then 
bent to the right for an additional 2 feet 4 inches ; where the bend 
took place, a constriction on the surface was seen. Before the com- 
partment was opened into, one could see through the wall that the 
mucous lining was elevated into reticulated folds, a character 
which was of course much more distinctly recognised w^hen a 
window was made in the wall. Some of the folds of the network 
were relatively thick and strong, and the intervals between them 
