OCR Text |
Show 1883.] TONGUES OF THE MARSUPIALS. 617 Science' for January 1883. I will shortly recapitulate the main features to show the relations to the other tongues described in this paper. I received from Professor Moseley the back part of the organ. The three circumvallate papilla? (see fig. XVIII. Plate LIV.) are very large (for so small a tongue) and resemble one another; they are radially symmetrical, only differing from those of higher mammals in their constricted bases and in the primitive type of bulb always present in Marsupials. They present a large circular area to a surface view (as in Bidelphys, the posterior papilla of Phalangista &c, and in higher mammals). There is no lateral organ. The fungiform papillae are scattered over the surface, but especially distributed along the sides; they contain more primitive bulbs than the circumvallate papilla?. The filiform papillae are generally long and pointed, and they extend from the usual position, upwards and backwards, to the circumvallate papillary region. The coronate papillae are normal. Thus the tongue comes nearest to that of Bidelphys (as far as this form could be investigated), and with the latter is the nearest approach to the structure of this organ in the higher mammals. It again begins a new type, characterized chiefly by the possession of three similar radially symmetrical circumvallate papilla?. THE TONGUE OF Bidelphys quica. The specimen had been preserved in spirit and the minute structures could not be made out; but some important points were ascertained, especially concerning the coronate papilla?, which were not much altered. The general description of the organ is also probably accurate in nearly all points. T used the same methods of hardening that were adopted with Macropus. I was extremely interested to observe how far the American form would follow the marsupial type as regards tbe coronate papillae. General description.-The size and appearance of the tongue, as seen from above, are shown in fig. xi. Plate LIV. (natural size). The transverse grooves crossing the organ in front of the circumvallate papilla? are probably due to contraction. The tip was injured, and I am not certain that it possessed an even contour as it is drawn. There were some indications of a division into lobe-like papilla? or processes, but I cannot be sure of this. The three similar circumvallate papilla? are round and large, resembling those of Perameles (see paper above referred to), but not so large in comparison with the size of the tongue. As seen from above they (together with those of Perameles) resemble the circumvallate papilla? in higher animals, in their radial symmetry and the size of the circular area exposed. There is a very even (though short) row of large upward and inward curving filiform papilla? in the usual position, but I could detect no traces of a lateral organ. The fungiform papilla? were not well preserved, but a few large ones are seen in the usual place. The junction of the papillate and non-papillate surfaces is sharp, but the latter is slightly rough. The coronate papilla?, covering a patch |