OCR Text |
Show 1870.] MR. J. B. PERRIN ON BALENOPTERA ROSTRATA. 81 1 ceding, and was of a rounded or globular shape. It measured 6 inches in its long diameter, or somewhat less than half the diameter of the third stomach. It had, arising from the middle of its dorsal aspect, in an infundibuliform manner, tbe duodenum, or commencement of the small intestines. The girth of the first stomach at its middle or widest part measured 30 inches, that of the second 22 inches, the third 21 inches, and the fourth 18g inches. On opening the stomachs there was found in the first ten small pebbles, and in the second also ten others. All the stomachs were perfectly empty in other respects. The mucous membrane presented different characters in each of the four stomachs. In the first it was of a pearly pinkish-white hue, complexly convoluted, the convolutions being continuous from the longitudinal rugae of the oesophagus. In the second stomach the colour of the mucous membrane was pale brown, the rugae running in a transverse direction, and in the upper and lateral walls presenting large and small alternations, the large ones projecting very prominently in the interior of the cavity. At the distal end the rugae were almost absent. In the third and fourth stomachs the mucous membrane was of a pale creamy-yellow colour; the rugae scanty and irregular The aperture between the first and second stomachs is very large, and readily allows of the passage of materials from one to the other. The aperture between the second and third stomachs is circular, and guarded by an annular, prominent valve. The diameter of this opening is about two inches, the canal afterwards becoming convoluted, and, at its entrance into the third stomach, again undergoes dilatation. The latter aperture is also guarded by an annular valvular fold. The length of this canal is about 2| inches long. The aperture between the third and fourth stomachs is small and semilunar, and directed transversely. The fourth stomach passes directly into the intestine, the only lines of demarcation between the two being the abrupt termination of the large calibre and the presence of valvulae conniventes. The intestines measured 72 feet 2 inches from the commencement of the duodenum to the cloaca. The large intestine occupied only 5 feet 4 inches of the length. From the commencement of the duodenum to the first diverticulum, a little sac-like dilatation of the small intestine, measured 43 feet 5 inches. Kidneys:-Weight = 2lbs. 1 oz.; length 15 inches; width across, or transverse measurement, = 5 inches; shape fusiform. Surface mapped out into comparatively regularly polygonal-shaped spaces, giving to the kidney a beautiful tabulated character. The diameter of the lobules varied from •§• to an inch. The lobules could be readily isolated, being connected together by a very thin, delicate areolar tissue. The liver was similar in every essential particular to that of Carte and Macalister's specimen. Muscles of the Shoulder and Extremity.-These presented some few differences from those described by Carte and Macalister. |