DE. J. MUEIE ON THE ANATOMY OF THE SEA-LION. 551 



posteriorly impinging on what appears to represent a stylo-pharyngeus. In some of 

 its aspects it agrees with the interhyoideus or hyokeratic and partly hyo-epiglottic 

 muscle of Cetaceans. 



2. Vocal Passages, Respiratory Organs, and Glands. 

 a. Cavities of Larynx and Trachea. — Figures 57 and 59 are devoted to an exposition 

 of the interior of the larynx, showing it from above and in section. To these the following 

 description specially applies. The free surface of the epiglottis is smooth, thick, short 

 and heart-shaped, the posterior median depression rising into an elongated fold within the 

 rima. The superior aperture of the larynx, 1 inch long, has a trefoil outline, the hinder 

 longitudinal limb being the longest. The fissure is bounded laterally by two smooth 

 rounded elastic eminences (fatty cushions surmounting the cartilages of Santorini), and 

 continuously behind by the projecting, clothed portion of the arytenoid cartilages. Two 

 elastic, membranous aryteno-epiglottic folds connect the epiglottis with the rearward 

 rounded prominences ; and outside these are wide and moderately deep reticular 

 pouches. Behind and surrounding the parts in question are the inner longitudinal 

 wavy plications of the pharynx and oesophagus. The laryngeal cavity itself is of 

 moderate capacity. The ventricles anteriorly are well defined, but leave an open 

 passage behind, which surface is dotted with mucous glands. Between the false and 

 true vocal cords the narrow elliptical slit of the ventricle, which is directed obliquely 

 backwards towards the pomum Adami, leads into a small flask-shaped sacculus or 

 laryngeal pouch having a reversed direction, or towards the epiglottis. Besides a 

 general converging of fatty tissue, the neck of the sacculus is surrounded by fibres of 

 the thyro-arytenoidei, as above described. The smoother surface of the lower larynx is 

 tumid to the cricoid, where it is slightly wider, diminishing gradually to the trachea. 

 Before dissecting the intrinsic muscles and structures of the larynx, I examined and 

 made diagrammatic outlines of the superior aperture in three different stages of tension, 

 purposely comparing the same with the designs given by Czermak of the laryngoscopies 

 appearances in the living human being. Consult fig. 58, where (1) a reduction shows that 

 ordinarily the fissure is relatively narrower forwards than in man ; when more opened (2), 

 and even when forcibly distended (3), a similar condition is exhibited. In other respects 

 the aperture, as a whole, presents considerable resemblances, whatsoever may be said of 

 the widely different powers of vocalization, betwixt Homo and Otaria. As regards voice, 

 this male animal had no soprano notes. Its more usual cry commenced with a liquid 

 but guttural and tremulous tone, increasing in volume and terminating by a loud and 

 deep-bass roar or growl. At other times, when pleased, or fondling with the keeper, 

 Leconte, a shorter subdued grunting whine was emitted. Lastly, a quicker, shorter, 

 and sharper-sounding call was issued, apparently as a note of surprise or intimation of 

 apparent danger. What has been compared to the bleating of a sheep, by voyagers 

 and others, in the young and female Eared Seals, is doubtless the above tremulous cry 



4g2 



