(This by the way explains why the kidney is the
most ill-savoured of all the viscera.) From the central cavity the
fluid is discharged into the bladder by the ducts that have been
mentioned, having already assumed in great degree the character of
excremental residue. The bladder is as it were moored to the
kidneys; for, as already has been stated, it is attached to them by
strong ducts. These then are the purposes for which the kidneys exist,
and such the functions of these organs.
In all animals that have kidneys, that on the right is placed higher
than that on the left. For inasmuch as motion commences from the
right, and the organs on this side are in consequence stronger than
those on the left, they must all push upwards in advance of their
opposite fellows; as may be seen in the fact that men even raise the
right eyebrow more than the left, and that the former is more arched
than the latter. The right kidney being thus drawn upwards is in all
animals brought into contact with the liver; for the liver lies on the
right side.
Of all the viscera the kidneys are those that have the most fat.
This is in the first place the result of necessity, because the
kidneys are the parts through which the residual matters percolate.
For the blood which is left behind after this excretion, being of pure
quality, is of easy concoction, and the final result of thorough
blood-concoction is lard and suet.
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