152 Mr. Home on the Structure of the Stomachs 
The oesophagus enters the stomach very near its left 
extremity, which, unlike the corresponding part in other 
animals, is very small and bifid. From the entrance of the 
oesophagus the cavity extends towards the right side of the 
body; then passes upwards, makes a turn upon itself, crosses 
over to the left side before the oesophagus, and again crosses 
the abdomen towards the right, making a complete circle 
round the portion into which the oesophagus enters, and termi- 
nates by a contracted orifice at the pylorus. 
Its cavity gradually enlarges from the left extremity through 
its whole course, till it approaches the pylorus; it then con- 
tracts and dilates again into a rounded cavity, with two lateral 
processes : beyond this is the pylorus, the orifice of which is 
extremely small. On the anterior and posterior side of the 
stomach there is a longitudinal band similar to those of the 
human colon, beginning faintly at the left termination, and 
extending as far as the enlargement near the pylorus : these 
bands being shorter than the coats of the stomach, the latter 
are consequently puckered, forming sacculi, as in the human 
colon. 
When the cavity of the stomach is laid open, the cuticular 
lining of the oesophagus is found continued over the portion 
immediately below it, and extends to the termination of the 
smallest process at the left extremity, and nearly to the same 
distance in the opposite direction ; the cuticular covering is 
very thin, and extremely smooth. 
The lining of the larger process at the left extremity is 
thick and glandular, and in the living body probably receives 
no part of the food, but is to be considered as a glandular 
appendage. 
