of graminivorous and carnivorous Animals. 171 
traction was so permanent, that after the stomach had been kept 
in wa,ter for several days in an inverted state, and at different 
times distended with air, the appearance was not altogether 
destroyed. 
Since that time I have taken every opportunity of examining 
the human stomach recently after death, and find that this con- 
traction in a greater or lesser degree is very generally met 
with. The appearance which it puts on varies : sometimes it re- 
sembles that of the ass (Vide Plate VIII.) so that this effect is 
not produced by a particular band of muscular fibres, but arises 
from the muscular coat in the middle portion of the stomach 
being thrown into action : and this for a greater or lesser 
extent, according to circumstances. When this part of the 
stomach is examined by dissection, the muscular fibres are not 
to be distinguished from the rest. 
If the body is examined so late as 24 hours after death, this 
appearance is rarely met with, which accounts for its not hav- 
ing before been particularly noticed. 
Perrault found a contraction somewhat similar in a lion's 
stomach, which appeared to him extraordinary, as it was only 
met with in one instance out of four, that were examined. Pie 
gives a drawing of the appearance, but makes no comments 
on the cause of the contraction.* 
* La conformation du ventricule etoit particuliere, et bien different en ce sujet 
de celle, que nous avons trouves aux autres lions, que nous avons disseques, ou le ven- 
tricule etoit semblable a celui des chiens et des chats ; ayant un fond ample et large 
vers l’orifice superieur qui alloit toujours en s’errecissant vers le pylore ; mais celui- 
ci avoit le fond separe en deux, en quelque fajon comme les animaux qui ruminent„ 
Ce forme particuliere du ventricule n’ etoit qu’en un seul des quatre animaux de cette 
espece que nous avous disseques, s$avoir deux lions et deux bonnes. 
Memoires pour servir a P Histoire Naturelle des Animaux, dressez par M. Phr- 
r-ault. Fob Ed. 1676. 
