OCR Text |
Show 1900.] SOFT A N A T O M Y O F T H E MUSK-OX. 145 palati, entirely surrounded by a furrow which also extends forward. The inner side of the lips and of the buccal tracts (fig. 2, p. 144) is provided with a large number of strongly developed conical papillae. In a region of the upper lip in front of the upper molars these are simply conical, measuring 7-8 m m . in length. In other parts they are chiefly 2- or 3-pointed. In the middle part of the buccal tract and along the molars these papillae sometimes measure as much as 5 m m . in breadth at their base, 6|-7 m m . in height, and they are provided with 7-8 acute points. Further in the papilla? are not so densely crowded, but become more scattered. The posterior ones are also comparatively more stout and bluntly conical, and in those parts single-pointed ones are also seen. Ovibos seems to differ in this respect from Bos and Ovis, in which, at least as a rule, these papillae are single-pointed. In Capra the papillae in question are mostly single-pointed, but in the row on the outside of the upper molars I have seen 2- and 3-pointed papilla?, and in the corresponding series of the lower jaw the usual number is 3 or more points. In Capreolus some few of the buccal papillae have more than one point, and in Rangifer this is to a great extent the case. O n both sides along the insertion of the tongue there is a series of large conical papillae. The most anterior of these especially have more than one point in Ovibos. Iu Capra and Ovis the corresponding papilla? are simple, so far as I have seen, but in Capreolus some of the anterior ones are double- or triple-pointed. The caruncula sublingualis in Ovibos consists of a triangular flap inserted along its median side, and with the tip of the lateral point curved forward. At the base of this triangular flap lies posteriorly another digitiform, but flattened papilla, which extends forward along its lateral margin. This condition is different both from that of Bos, in which a broad flap is found, and that of Ovis and Capra, in which there is a large triangular flap auteriorly, behind which are two smaller ones. In Capreolus this caruncula is elongated and semilunar, with 6-7 marginal denticulations. The tongue of an adult bull (fig. 3, p. 146) measures about 27 era. in length. Its anterior and broadly rounded end is 6 cm. in breadth. In the middle it is narrower, measuring 4| cm., but its hind part is again nearly 6 cm. The posterior convex portion is very much thicker (about 56 mm.) than the flat anterior (about 33 mm.) part, and divided from it by a transverse groove. This groove is situated exactly in the middleof the tongue, 13^ cm. from either end. On the anterior portion au asperity is produced by the dense covering of the horny papillce filiform.es, which are flattened and almost scale-like, biit pointed, the same covering also extends l-ll cm. over the lower side of the tongue, especially anteriorly. Towards 1 he sides the papillae are less flattened and more filiform. Posteriorly they increase in size, and are more pronouncedly scale-like. In the' transverse groove their breadth is nearly 1 m m . Papilla fungiformes are scattered all over the anterior portion of the "tongue, although rather widely (8 mm.) separated in its central PROC. ZOOL. SOC-1900, No. X. 10 |