The curtain is called the Soft Palate.
The lobby, the Pharynx.
The tube which leads to the stomach, the Aesophagus.
The tube leading to the lungs, the Larynx.
The opening of this tube is the Glottis, and the little trap-door which closes it when one swallows, is the Epiglottis.
You must excuse my attempting to explain the meanings of all these names; it would take me too long to do so. After all, the mere names are nothing. If I have succeeded in making you understand how all the different parts act, you may call them what you like.
Here we will rest. We are now on our way to where we shall see the large apartments, and be introduced to the master, that head of the house, whom no one can approach without so many ceremonies.
LETTER VIII.
THE STOMACH.
Once in the oesophagus (you remember this is the name of the tube which leads to the stomach), the mouthful of food has nothing to do but to proceed on its way. All along this tube there is a succession of small elastic rings, [Footnote: Properly, contractile circular fibres.] which contract behind the food to force it forward, and widen before it to give it free passage. They thus propel it forward, one after another, till it reaches the entrance to the stomach, into which the last ring pushes it, closing upon it at the same time.