OCR Text |
Show .] DR. J. MURIE ON GEOPSITTACUS OCCIDENTALIS. Fig- 5. Fig. 4 Figs. 4 & 5. Ventral and lateral views of the sternum of G. occidentalis. Nat. size. The rostrum projects rather upwards than forwards; its anterior groove is shallow. The coracoids are moderately long and stout, the epicoracoids well-defined. The furcula, or conjoined clavicles, is absent. The mesoscapular segment is of fair dimensions, and partly conjoined with the mesocoraco- and mesoscapular spurs. Each scapula is of considerable length, strong, though only of moderate thickness ; its upper ensiform-shaped half is terminated by a sharp point. As regards the visceral anatomy of Geopsittacus occidentalis, I shall proceed simply to describe the several parts and organs examined by me, leaving structural comparisons for after-consideration. At the angles of the gape, but within the buccal cavity, two unusually large lobe-like flaps are observed. These folds correspond to the glandulce anguli oris, said to be found in some birds of prey. Whether identical with what Tiedemann has taken to be the parotid gland or not, the above exist in all the Parrots I have examined, but are unusually large in Geopsittacus. Their minute structure I have only examined sufficiently to ascertain they are tolerably vascular and covered with tough cuticle. No doubt they serve an important office in deglution, or may possibly be tactile organs. The tongue has a number of minute longitudinal striations upon its upper surface, disposed in such a manner that the elevations and furrows resemble a diminutive fan. The narrow end of these is |