It is in a somewhat similar way that the food is taken up or absorbed by the walls of the stomach and intestines.

When the food is absorbed, the greater part of it is taken into the blood-vessels, of which we shall learn in a future lesson.
~12.

Liver Digestion.~--After the food has been absorbed, the most of it is carried to the liver, where the process of digestion is completed.
The liver also acts like an inspector to examine the digested food and remove hurtful substances which may be taken with it, such as alcohol, mustard, pepper, and other irritating things.
~13.

The Thoracic Duct.~--A portion of the food, especially the digested fats, is absorbed by a portion of the lymphatic vessels called _lacteals_, which empty into a small vessel called the _thoracic duct_.
This duct passes upward in front of the spine and empties into a vein near the heart.
SUMMARY.
How a mouthful of food is digested: 1.

It is first masticated--that is, it is chewed and moistened with saliva.
2.