96 



these bands were broad at the lower ends, and tapered to the points 

 of attachment. They were very loose, and were moving with an irre- 

 gular waving or floating motion, as if surrounded by fluid. The 

 pressure applied was moderate. 



On another occasion, by carefully applying strong pressure, I was 

 able to see the structure of the jaws better than before ; the result is 

 delineated at F. A hand of five diverging fingers (1 and 3) united, 

 I think, by membrane, is jointed to the frame-work of the malleus (2), 

 and works on the rounded surface of the incus (5). The position of 

 this hand, in situ, is horizontal, and hence only its edge meets the eye 

 of the observer (as in G), until it is displaced by pressure. That the 

 frame-work (2) is all in one piece, and not jointed, I proved by press- 

 ing on the glass-plate with the point of a pen ; for thus by increasing 

 or lightening the pressure, after the compressorium had done its 

 utmost, I was able to jerk the parts to and fro. I found that the 

 frame -work (2) moved bodily, without the slightest change in the re- 

 lative position of its parts, but that the hand (1) did not move with 

 it, but merely remained in contact with the point of 2. The foot (4) 

 of the incus is flat, and bent at the extremity. Parts of the struc- 

 ture were indistinct ; and the details of the top of the incus are still 

 obscure. 



Now and then a curious appearance is presented, as if a membrane 

 were suddenly withdrawn from around the incus, leaving a circular 

 opening, which enlarges, or narrows, or moves up and down. It ap- 

 pears oval, viewed in perspective (fig. G), but I conjecture that it is not 

 around the incus, but between it and the observer's eye, and that it is 

 the orifice of the duct leading from the gizzard to the stomach, open- 

 ing or closing. 



In a lateral view this duct is perceived (fig. B) to be long and slen- 

 der, and to be capable of still further elongation, and also of contrac- 

 tion. It opens into the alimentary canal, the head of which is 

 abruptly swelling, and carries on each side of it a globose clear 

 gland ; these glands, doubtless, secrete and pour into the digestive 

 canal a fluid accessory to nutrition, but whether pancreatic or biliary, 

 I cannot say. This viscus itself is wide, subcylindrical, but tapering 

 towards the anal extremity, not divided by any constriction, but ful- 

 filling the offices of stomach and intestine. The walls are very thick, 

 and probably cellular, leaving only a central tube for the admission 

 of the food. This tube is readily seen when charged with food (as 

 in A), and may be rendered beautifully distinct by the admixture of 

 carmine with the water (fig. B). The cloaca is just between the 



