In the locust the ileum is traversed by six longitudinal folds with intervening furrows; outside of each furrow is a longitudinal muscular band. Seen from the inner surface the epithelium has an unusual character, the cells in the middle of each of the flat folds being quite large, polygonal in outline, while towards the furrows the cells become very much smaller. The walls are double when seen in transverse section, the inner layer consisting of epithelial cells resting on connective tissue, the outer layer formed of circular muscles. The cuticula is thin, but probably chitinous; it resembles that on the gastro-ileal folds, except that there are no spinules, but unlike the cuticula of the stomach it extends equally over the folds and the furrows. (Minot.) In the cockroach the junction of the small intestine with the colon is abrupt, a well-developed annular fold assuming the nature of a circular valve. (Miall and Denny.)
The gastro-ileal folds.—In the locust the intestine is separated from the chylific stomach by what Minot calls “the gastro-ileal folds,” which form a peculiar valve. The urinary vessels open just underneath and in front of this valve. In Melanoplus, and probably in the entire family of Acrydiidæ, they are indicated as “dark spots, round in front and lying at the anterior end of the ileum so as to form a ring around the interior of the intestine.” They are 12 in number, and all alike. They are pigmented and round in front where they are broadest and stand up highest; they narrow down backwards, the pigment disappears, and they gradually fade out into the ileal folds. Directly beneath them, and just at the posterior end of the stomach, there is a strong band of circular striated muscular fibres. The epithelium of these folds is covered with minute conical spines, which are generally, but not always, wanting between the folds. (Minot.)
The colon.—This section of the intestine (Fig. 319) is sometimes regarded as a part of the rectum. In the locust the six longitudinal folds of the ileum are continued into the colon, but their surface, instead of being smooth as in the ileum, is thrown up into numerous irregular curved and zigzag secondary folds. The cells of the epithelium are of uniform size, and the layer is covered by a highly refringent cuticula without spines; and, like that in the ileum, it rests on a layer of connective tissue, beyond which follows (1) an internal coat of longitudinal, and (2) an external coat of circular striated muscular fibres. (Minot.)
Fig. 319.—Digestive canal of Lucanus cervus: G, anterior muscles of the pharynx; H, œsophagus; I, gizzard; K, chyle-stomach; L, ilium; M, colon (cœcal part of); N, colon; O, rectum; a, frontal ganglion of the vagus; b, vagus nerve; c, anterior lateral ganglion connected with the vagus.—After Newport.
In butterflies (Pontia brassicæ), in Sphinx ligustri, and probably in most Lepidoptera the colon is distinct from the rectum, and is anteriorly developed into a very large more or less pyriform or bladder-like cæcum (Figs. 309, 310), which in certain Coleoptera (Dyticus, Fig. 320, d; Silpha, Necrophorus, etc.) is of remarkable length and shape; it also occurs in Nepidæ (Fig. 327). In the cockroach a lateral cæcum “is occasionally, but not constantly, present towards its rectal end,” and a constriction divides the colon from the rectum. (Miall and Denny.)
The rectum.—The terminal section of the hind-gut varies in length and size, but is usually larger than the colon, and with thick, muscular walls. In Lepidoptera it is narrow and short.
The rectum is remarkable for containing structures called rectal glands (Fig. 298). Chun describes those of Locusta viridissima as six flat folds, formed by a high columnar epithelium and a distinct cuticula; there is a coat of circular bands corresponding to the furrows between the glands. Minot states that this description is applicable to the locusts (Acrydiidæ) he has investigated, the only difference being in the structural details of the single layers. He claims that the rectal folds “do not offer the least appearance of glandular structure,” neither is their function an absorbent one, as Chun supposed. From their structure and position Fernald regards the rectal glands of Passalus as acting like a valve, serving to retain the food in the absorptive portions of the digestive tract till all nutriment is extracted.
Fig. 320.—Dyticus marginalis, ♂ opened from the back: a, crop; b, proventriculus; c, mid-intestine beset with fine cœcal glands; d, long cœcal appendage of the colon; apodemes; B1-B3, apodemes; vhm, coxal extensor muscle, moving the hind leg; ho, testis; dr, accessory gland; r, penis; e, reservoir of the secretion of the anal gland.—After Graber.