THE GLOTTIS, 133 



Some physiologists, in describing this * air-tube ' of ser- 

 pents, speak of it as the laiynx, which is what we unscientific 

 folk would call the entrance to, or the upper portion of, the 

 true windpipe or trachea. Others, again, affirm that they 

 saw the ' windpipe ' projecting. After all, much less has 

 been said about it than one could wish ; and what is said is 

 somewhat conflicting, perhaps on account of the obscurity 

 connected with this surprising adaptation of means to 

 necessities. A thorough examination of the position of the 

 trachea of snakes while feeding, and a perfect realization of 

 its functions, could only be obtained were it possible to 

 arrest the process of feeding by the instantaneous death of 

 the feeder, and while every muscle of the snake's mouth 

 remained in position. Even then, one could not be positive, 

 as snakes are endowed with the astonishing power of carry- 

 ing out their intentions, or, in common language, ' going on 

 with their business,' even after death. That is to say, owing 

 to the irritability of their muscles, the action which they 

 were about to perform (as, for instance, springing at a foe) 

 continues should the head be shot off at the moment of 

 making the attempt. In p. 56 and chap. xxi. some remark- 

 able elucidations of this are given. 



The general appearance of a windpipe is familiar to 

 every one. It is formed of a series of rings or hoops, 

 partially cartilaginous in mammals ; that is to say, they 

 are incomplete behind, where their ends are united by 

 muscle and membrane, and come in contact with the 

 gullet ; but in serpents the rings are entire, the ends of 

 each being joined together by an elastic substance. The 

 rings themselves are also connected with each other by 



