—————————————— a a 
of the Capybara. 467 
appears to terminate in a nearly blind pouch ; for the commu- 
nication with the pharynx seems as if shut by a strong mem- 
brane of a funnel shape, of which the concavity recedes towards 
the throat. (Tas. XXVIII. a.) 
— This membrane is an extended velum palati, attached to the 
whole circumference of the fauces and root of the tongue, and 
is prevented from forming a complete septum by the existence of 
a small, central, circular aperture, by which a communication 
between the mouth and the pharynx is established for passage of 
food ; so that through this small membranous funnel, or strainer 
(if I may be allowed the expression), it is physically impossible 
that any considerable portion of unmasticated nutriment should 
find its way by natural means, from the mouth into the alimen- 
tary canal : and from this circumstance the first process towards 
digestion must be rendered certain and complete ; for the grosser 
particles of food must remain in the mouth from the inter- 
position of the membranous sieve or strainer, which is thus 
placed between the organs of mastication and those of digestion. 
'The same provision for the complete mastication of all solid 
substances, previous to their being swallowed, will be found in 
others of the same group. Ishall, however, confine my descrip- 
tion of the anatomy of these parts to the dissections I have made 
of the Capybara, as the parts are more fully developed, and more 
clearly seen in that animal than in any other I have met with. 
On removing the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx 
from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the whole of the 
velum palati, the muscles which support and lie between the 
two membranes were exposed, and were as follows. 
The circumference of the funnel is supported on each side 
anteriorly by a strong muscular column, which arising from a 
projecting point in the middle of the os hyoides, passes through 
a deep groove in the fore part of the bone, to be continued up- 
wards 
