of graminivorous and carnivorous Animals . 143 
considerabty more extensive than any of the other coats, and 
much more so than it appears to be on a superficial exami- 
nation; for it is not only thrown into longitudinal and trans- 
verse folds, but is subdivided by, slight fissures into a number 
of small portions varying in shape and size in different parts of 
the same stomach, but generally smallest near the pylorus; 
this appearance was at first mistaken for the real internal 
structure of the membrane ; but when inverted and distended, 
so as to be put upon the stretch all these disappeared, and it 
became very thin and smooth. This is seen most readily in 
the human stomach, and in those of carnivorous animals. 
Such distension enables us to examine the internal struc- 
ture of parts, but this is not to lead us away from their more 
natural appearance ; since the functions of this membrane 
could no more go on were it unfolded to a great extent, than 
the muscular actions of the outer coat, in an over-stretched 
state of its fibres. 
In proof of this observation, I have known an instance of a 
child three years old, who being left alone at dinner, ate so 
large a quantity of apple-pudding that it died, which raised 
suspicion of its having been poisoned. On examination after* 
death, the whole stomach was distended to its utmost extent, 
and rendered quite tense, which was the only apparent cause 
of the child’s death. 
Having made these general remarks, which will render 
the following descriptions intelligible, without entering into 
detail on the mode of examining each particular stomach, I 
shall proceed to describe those stomachs, from which I 
mean to draw conclusions respecting digestion. The draw- 
ings, illustrate the appearances so well, that a short account 
U 2 
