436 
EXPERIMENTS ON DIGESTION. 
compartments. Its internal surface presents a great number of 
large flattened papillae, and it is lined by a strong and thick epi- 
dermis. 
The second stomach — the Reticulum, or Bonnet, is the smallest 
of the four. It is of a globular form. It communicates with the 
paunch by means of a large opening, while a very evident contrac- 
tion separates it from the third stomach. On its internal surface 
are traced numerous large polygonal divisions, or cells, the area 
and the borders of which are studded with little papillae. The in- 
ternal coat of this stomach is, like that of the first, cuticular. 
The third stomach — the Maniplus, or Fuillet, is larger than the 
preceding. It is distinguished by certain falciform leaves, in num- 
ber about 100, which project from its surface. Some of them are 
large and others small, and they are placed alternately with rela- 
tion to this. They consist of folds of the cellular and mucous 
membranes of the stomach. Numerous small papillae are also 
scattered over their surface, and covered by a cuticular membrane. 
The maniplus communicates with the fourth stomach by means of 
a considerable opening. 
The last stomach, called the Abomasum, or Caillette, is larger 
than the maniplus. It is of a lengthened and somewhat globular 
form. The pyloric orifice separates it from the duodenum. It is 
lined by a well-developed mucous membrane, and has no epider- 
mis. This membrane forms many projecting and longitudinal folds, 
and is supplied by numerous bloodvessels and glands. In rela- 
tion to its structure, it resembles the simple stomachs of carnivorous 
and omnivorous animals. 
' The muscular membrane of these stomachs is composed of longi- 
tudinal and circular fibres. These are thickest and strongest in 
the two first stomachs. The oesophagus, which is very large and 
dilatable, communicates with the three first stomachs. Its commu- 
nication with the paunch and the reticulum is effected by means 
of a long cleft or scissure, which can be opened or closed according 
to circumstances. The edges of this cleft are thick and prominent. 
They are composed of a duplicature of the mucous- membrane, and 
of strong muscular bands, taking a longitudinal direction. When 
they are drawn close to each other they form a canal, which leads 
directly into the third stomach ; but when any large pellet of food, 
coarsely masticated, separates them from one another, they form 
an opening into the first and second stomachs, and the passage into 
the third is simultaneously closed by the contraction of the mus- 
cular fibres with which its borders are furnished. It results from 
this, that the imperfectly-masticated food falls into the two first 
stomachs, whence it is again brought into the oesophagus in the 
act of rumination. 
