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Show 1867.] DR. E. CRISP ON THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 691 dices are true and separate stomachs, that the cavities in the third stomach are not pouches like those of the Camel and Dromedary, and that there are no folds in the fourth stomach. In the new-born Hippopotamus, as in a young ruminant at birth, it is probable that the stomach would present some peculiarities not observed at a later period. For the better understanding of this subject let me take a hasty glance at the gastric organ and parts of the intestinal apparatus in the various mammalian groups. In the quadrumana the stomach, except in the Semnopitheci that have three gastric cavities, is for the most part simple. The same may be said of the Cheiroptera and Carnaria. Among the Marsupiata the Kangaroos and Potoros (Hypsiprymnus) have two stomachs, with numerous pouch-like dilatations externally. Among the rodents the stomach in most is partially divided, and the caecum generally is very large. In the Edentata the Bradypi (Sloths) have a very large stomach, with four divisions. In the Pangolins (Manis) there is a slight division of the gastric organ. The ruminants, as is well known, have the most complicated form of stomach, not only as regards the shape of the four cavities, but more especially in relation to the numerous papillae, villi, and folds on the mucous surface. The Cetacea present some of the most remarkable and unaccountable differences as regards the complication of the stomach. The stomach of tbe Porpoise and the Dolphin on the table fully exemplify this. In the former, which is 19 inches in length, there are four divisions-the two first rugous, the two last smooth. In the stomach of the Dolphin, which is narrow and 25 inches in length, there are seven divisions. The stomach of the Porpoise may be taken generally as a model for that of the larger Cetacea, four cavities being the usual number. It is very remarkable that the flesh-eating Dolphins should have a more complicated stomach than the herbivorous Cetacea, such as the Manatee, Dugongs, and Stellerines. I now come to the Pachydermata ; and it will be seen that great differences exist in the form of the stomach, as well as in the intestinal appendages, caeca, rugae, villi, and intestinal glands. In the Pigs (Suidce) the stomach is partially divided. The Peccaries (Dicotyles) have a sacculated stomach, with three principal divisions. The Rhinoceros has a simple stomach, as have also the Elephants and Tapirs. The stomach of the Hyrax has two compartments. In the Horses (Equidee) the gastric cavity is simple. None of the pachyderms can be strictly said to have simple stomachs; for in all there is a division ; but I use the term simple when there are no distinct valves or muscular folds to denote the boundaries. On comparing the stomach of the Hippopotamus with that of the other pachyderms it will be seen that the viscus affords but little resemblance to any of them ; nor does it to that of the other animals I have named with complicated stomachs. Probably, as regards external form, the stomach of the Manatee (Manatus americanus), from the forked appearance given by the two appendices, resembles that of the Hippopotamus more than any other animal; but the interior, |
