( 499. ) 
XXIX. On the remarkable Formation of the Trachea in the 
Egyptian Tantalus. By Joshua Brookes, Esq., F.R.S. & L.S. 
Read March 16, 1830. 
Or all the organs with which animals are furnished, the vital 
organs justly excite our highest admiration ; and in contempla- 
ting the great variety of conformation in the thoracic viscera in 
various species, the physiologist is frequently at a loss to account 
for the function of their striking peculiarities of structure. 
The subject of the present observations is the trachea of the 
Tantalus Ibis, or Egyptian Tantalus*, a bird rarely imported in 
a living state, and probably the present specimen of that organ 
is the only one of the kind in Europe. Iam not aware that 
there is any record of a similarly constructed trachea having 
been found in any other genus of the feathered tribe. This bird 
died shortly after its arrival in England ; and being sent to Mr. 
Leadbeater for preservation, he kindly presented me with the 
body in a recent state. 
- As there is not any unusual occurrence in the upper part of 
the trachea, I shall proceed immediately to describe that por- 
tion of the organ which is contained within the thorax. Here 
a lateral compression takes place of about three inches in 
lenght, and an inch in breadth; the part thus compressed is 
larger and rounder at one margin than it is at the other, where 
* The preparation of this organ was presented to the Zoological Society, and may 
now be seen in the Museum of that Institution. 
it 
