WAIT DON'T GO YET

(Science Week, day 5!)

With what I've heard referred to as four stomachs, but may be considered as four distinctively functional parts of one stomach, they produce much. Because it assists with the digestive phase of the rumen, or the first of the four, I'm guessing the majority of that total amount works inside them, reassuringly.

Like other animals, cows chew cud regurgitated from the rumen. The word "ruminate" shares its etymological roots with it.

Also: if you care to look it up, you'll find the amount is rather higher in cows than in humans. No surprises there.

Thank you for your patience today. More appealingly illustrated:

• Farm animal fact of the day with Widget the cow