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. (Tab. XXVIII. a.) 



This membrane is an extended velum pal^ti, 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. I shall, 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 



