398 THE ALBATROSS. 



of an epiglottis ; and the size, though small, is 

 sufficient for the protection of that portion of the 

 rima glottidis which cannot be closed in the 

 manner usual in birds by the apposition of its 

 margins. With a peculiar structure of the glottis 

 there exists an apparatus equally peculiar in the 

 class, as a provision against the inconvenience 

 which might otherwise result from the deviation 

 from the normal structure.* 



* Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, June 

 25th, 1833. 



