122 SNAKES. 



fait des conjectures, plutot sur les usages auquels on I'a cm 

 destinee, que sur I'utilite reelle dont elle peut etre aux 

 serpents dans Facte de la deglutition ; car les serpents ne 

 machcnt jamais leurs alimens.' i ' Ouoiqu'on ignore le 

 veritable usage de la langue humide et charnue que les 

 serpents brandissent et font continuellement sortir de la 

 bouche et vibrer dans Fair, il est facile de concevoir qu'a 

 cause de la forme cylindrique et de son etroitesse elle 

 ne pourrait faciliter la mastication, quand meme les dents 

 seraient propres de cet usage.' ^ 



This first volume of Erpetologie gMrale treats of all 

 reptiles inclusively ; but in the sixth volume, where the 

 opJddia particularly are introduced, the tongue is, with 

 the rest of the organs, more minutely described. Some 

 repetition necessarily occurs ; but there is still a good deal 

 that will repay perusal. 



After stating that in serpents the sense of touch is dull, 

 on account of the integument, and the absence of what may 

 be regarded as tactile organs, and that the sense of smell is 

 dull, the nostrils being feebly developed, Dumeril adds : ' The 

 tongue, though fleshy, very mobile, and constantly moist, is 

 rather an especial instrument for touch, for the action of 

 lapping, and for other functions, than to perceive the nature 

 of liquids ; ' in other words, than as an organ of taste. * It 

 is, however, very remarkable ; though smooth and even 

 above, it is furnished with little fringes or papillae along the 

 sides. Notwithstanding its length and narrowness, it is 

 singularly protractile and retractile; and in its exceedingly 

 rapid vibrations has impressed the vulgar with the idea 



^ Tome i. p. 126 o{ Erpetologie gcncrale. •^ Ibid. p. 135. 



