Chap. 67.] THE KECK. 63 



name of " epiglossis," 57 but it is wanting in animals that are 

 oviparous. Placed as it is between two passages, the functions 

 of the epiglottis are of a twofold nature. The one of these 

 passages that lies more inward is called the [tracheal] artery, 

 and Leads to the lungs and the heart : the epiglottis covers it 

 during the action of eating, that the drink or food may not go 

 the wrong way, and so be productive of suffering, as it is by 

 this passage that the breath and the voice are conveyed. The 

 other or exterior passage is called the "gula/' 56 and it is by 

 this passage that the victuals and drink pass : this leads to the 

 belly, while the former one communicates with the chest. 59 

 The epiglottis covers the pharynx, in its turn, when only the 

 breath or the voice is passing, in order that the victuals may 

 not inopportunely pass upwards, and so disturb the breathing 

 or articulation. The tracheal artery is composed of cartilage 

 and flesh, while the gullet is formed of a sinewy substance 

 united with flesh. 



CHAP. 67. THE KECK ; THE THROAT ; THE DORSAL SPIXE. 



The neck is found to exist in no animal but those which 

 have both these passages. All the others which have the 

 gullet only, have nothing but a gorge or throat. In those 

 which have a neck, it is formed of several rounded vertebrae, 

 and is flexible, and joined together by distinct articulations, to 

 allow of the animal turning round the head to look. The 

 lion, the wolf, and the hyaena are the only animals in which 

 it is formed of a single 60 rigid bone. The neck is annexed to 

 the spine, and the spine to the loins, The vertebral column 

 is of a bony substance, but rounded, and pierced within, 

 to afford a passage for the marrow to descend from the brain. 

 It is generally concluded that the marrow is of the same nature 

 as the brain, from the fact that if the membrane of exceeding 

 thinness which covers it is pierced, death immediately ensues. 61 

 Those animals which have long legs have a long throat as well, 



57 More generally " epiglottis." It is found in some few reptiles. This 

 passage is omitted by Sillig. 



58 Gullet, or pharynx. . 



59 Stomachum. 



60 All these animals, on the contrary, have seven vertebrae. 



61 This is not the fact. The spinal marrow, even, may be wounded, 

 without death being the immediate result. 



