Previous studies have indicated that the gross anatomical structure of the stomach of the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) differs markedly from that of all other pigs. This light and scanning electron microscopic study revealed a previously unknown, microscopic structure characterised by a `honeycomb' pattern at the luminal surface of the tunica mucosa. The walls of the `honeycomb' were about 0.20-0.25 mm high and appeared almost entirely composed of various types of bacteria. Underneath the bacteria the walls were formed by thin tubes composed of non-glandular squamous epithelial-like cells, extending from the tops of the ridges between each glandular pit. There is as yet no evidence of a comparable structure in the stomach of any other pig. or to our knowledge any other forestomach-fermenting mammal. (C) 2004 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.