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Show 74 ON T H E MUSCLES O F T H E AVIAN SYRINX. [Mar. 6, 3. A male Blyth's Tragopan (Ceriornis blythi), presented by Capt. W . Brydon, of the 42nd Assam Light Infantry, and received through the kind mediation of the Zoological Gardens, Calcutta, February 17th. The only example of this splendid species previously received was that presented by Major Montagu in 1870 \ The Secretary exhibited, on behalf of the Rev. F. O. Morris, a drawing of a bird shot in Hampshire in November 1882, and lately described in 'Land and Water' (vol. xxxv. p. 90, 1883), and remarked that, as there suggested, it certainly represented a Tinamou, (perhaps Nothura boraquira), which must have escaped from captivity. Mr. J. E. Ady exhibited some microscopical preparations of bone, in one case showing the growth of blood-vessels into cartilage previous to ossification, and in another case presenting a hard section in which the lacuna? and canaliculi were extremely well shown. Dr. Hans Gadow, C.M.Z.S., communicated an outline of a series of observations, which be is now undertaking, on the arrangement and disposition of the muscles of the avian syrinx. He directed especial attention to the fact that there is an absolute continuity between these muscles and those of the upper larynx and the hyoid apparatus. The innervation of all these parts was found to be hypoglossal pharyngeal, the special nerve-branches accompanying the trachea throughout its length. He pointed out that the conclusion to be drawn from these facts was that the syringeal muscles are derived from the system of sternohyoid muscles. The stages intermediate between the arrangement seen in certain birds, where some of the muscles of the upper larynx have no connexion with the skin, and in others, in which the same muscles come into close relation with the integument, were explained with the aid of diagrams. Dr. Gadow had, in consequence, been led to believe that at least such of the cutaneous muscles in the cervical region as are striped belonged primitively to tbe common layer of skeletal muscles. Some difficulties in the characters of the nerve-supply of these parts, cervical as well as hypoglossal nerves taking a share in this duty, were pointed out; and further investigations on this obscure point were said to be in hand. The following papers were read:- 1 P. Z. S. 1870, p. 162, pi. xv. |
