Note qq — BOOK IV.

Of this see Dr. Willis’s Pharm. Rat. Part 1. Sect. 1. c. 2. Steno also, and Peyer Mery, l. 2.

The Description these give of the muscular Part of the Gullet, the late ingenious and learned Dr. Drake saith is very exact in Ruminants, but not in Men. In Men, this Coat (the second of the Gullet) consists of two fleshy Lamellæ, like two distinct Muscles. The outward being compared of strait longitudinal Fibres.——The inner Order of Fibres is annular, without any observable Angles.——The Use of this Coat, and these Orders of Fibres is to promote Deglutition; of which the Longitudinal,——shorten the Oesophagus, and so make its Capacity larger, to admit of the Matter to be swallowed. The Annular, on the contrary, contract the Capacity, and closing behind the descending Aliment, press it downwards. Drake’s Anat. vol. 1. l. 1. c. 9.