THE ALIMENTARY TRACT 171 
are pale pinkish white. Air content increased in places, decreased in 
others. No hypostatic congestion. The lungs seem normal except at 
the apex where they are collapsed probably from pressure on lung by 
enlarged thyroid which dips down into the chest for at least three 
inches filling entirely the apex of the chest. One bronchial lymph gland 
was about the size of a walnut, the rest were normal. The heart seems 
normal except for its slightly low position. The abdomen contains about 
300 c.c. of deep yellow highly albuminous fluid. No adhesions. The 
liver is softer than normal, glistening, smooth, moist and very yellow 
particularly at the edges. The gall-bladder contains a green mucoid 
bile and the duct is patulous. Spleen and kidneys are normal. Mouth 
and pharynx are normal. The esophagus is much dilated above the 
thjToid. The enlarged thyroid pressing upon it, has acted as a distinct 
obstruction. In this pouch was a large amount of food probably (from 
the histoiy) eaten two days before. The esophagus below this point 
was normal except for the presence of thin mucus. Stomach empty 
save for two small bits of meat. The duodenal walls are much thickened, 
mucosa covered with small ulcers many with a hemorrhagic base ; there 
were present also a few small, round worms. 
Here are presented three different dilatations, the 
first probably congenitally started and aided by pul- 
monary fibrosis, therefore secondarily a traction 
diverticulum, the second probably entirely congenital, 
and the unusual third case due to obstruction by an 
enlarged thyroid. In this connection might be mentioned 
small saccular diverticula in the proventricle of a Fire 
Finch {Lagonosticta senegala), and at the pylorus in a 
Puma {Felis concolor). Neither of these seemed of any 
significance and played no part in the death of the 
animals ; they did not seem to be artificially produced, by 
worms, for example. 
The Proventricle. 
The proventricle or forestomach of birds, is the seat 
of active secretion of the gastric juice in nearly all orders, 
although Jobert believes that the mucosa of the gizzard 
may contribute some digestive fluid, and there are active 
glands in this tissue in a few orders. The proventricle 
does not act as a reservoir during digestion, but as soon 
as the juices are well mixed with the bolus the food is 
