| OCR Text |
Show 1867-] DR. E. CRISP ON THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 60/ In other parts of the small intestine the surface is studded with small sieve-like patches, presenting a more regular appearance as to the size of the crypts than those above described. The lining membrane of the large intestine, with the exception of the colic gland, presents nothing worthy of notice. There are no longitudinal bands externally, and the tube is of nearly uniform calibre. Pancreas.-The pancreas weighs about 18 oz. ; it consists of three principal lobes, one of which terminates near to the pylorus; and probably, as in many quadrupeds, a duct enters at this part, but I omitted to make the inspection. The main duct enters the duodenum with tbe biliary duct 8 inches from the pylorus, by a large canal which passes obliquely through the duodenal coats for about f inch before it enters the intestine. The structure of the pancreas affords no peculiarity worthy of note. Spleen.-The spleen is long and narrow, like that of the Hogs (Suidce), Peccaries (Dicoteles), Tapirs (Tapiridee), and Elephants (Elephantidee). It measures 17 inches in length and 3 in breadth ; its weight is 91 oz. The vein makes its exit near to the abdominal end. I cannot speak with certainty as to the presence of valves in the veins, as the parts were left for some days, and were nearly decomposed when I examined them. Liver.-The liver is unilobular; its length is 17 inches and its greatest width 10 inches; its weight 7 lb. 6 oz. Although I have called the liver unilobular, there is a large notch on the anterior part that may be said to make it bilobular, although the division is not very apparent. Assuming the bilobular character to be the more correct term, that which maybe called the right lobe occupies about three-fourths of the weight of the organ. Between the lobes is an elevated portion that may he said to represent the lobulus Spigelii and a large anterior elevated quadrilateral portion that corresponds to the lobus quadratus in Man ; the caudate lobe and the pons he-patis can scarcely be said to exist. According to the usual division of the human liver into five lobes, the liver of the Hippopotamus may be said to have four lobes ; but I think the sooner these elevations on the under surface of the liver are disconnected with the lobes the better; the depression on the right of the Spigelian promontorv is well marked, but there is no fissure for the inferior cava. There is no gall-bladder ; but the duct dilates into a large sac at the edge of the liver, which diminishes in size before it enters the intestine. The ligaments are strong and well marked ; the portal veins large. As regards the structure of the liver 1 observe nothing worthy of note. Kidneys.-The left kidney is of an irregular shape, the form somewhat triangular with the base below ; the right is more cylindrical and regular in form ; each externally consists of about twenty-six lobes of unequal size. The lobular character is confined to the external surface, and probably in the adult animal it is much jess marked. About seven mammary processes are present ; the pelvis is rather small. In the left renal vein, close to its exit from the gland, there are two valves, and one of larger size in the same situa- |
