20 FRINGILLIDJJ. 



the Crossbeaks, and the seed of the cones of these trees 

 their food, and it is to pull out the seeds from between the 

 squamae, or scales of the cones, that this structure is given 

 them. Their mode of operation is thus : They first fix 

 themselves across the cone, then bring the points of the 

 maxillae from their crossed or lateral position, to be im- 

 mediately over each other. In this reduced compass they 

 insinuate their beaks between the scales, and then opening 

 them, not in the usual manner, but by drawing the in- 

 ferior maxilla sideways, force open the scales." 



At this stage of the proceeding the aid of the tongue 

 becomes necessary ; and this organ is no less admirably 

 adapted for the service required. The os hyoides, or bone 

 of the tongue, has articulated to its anterior extremity an 

 additional portion formed partly of bone with a horny 

 covering, figures 6 and 7, letter a. In shape it is nar- 

 row, about three-eighths of an inch in length, and extends 

 forwards and downwards, the sides curved upwards, the 

 distal extremity shaped like a scoop, somewhat pointed, 

 and thin on both edges, the proximal extremity ending in 

 two small processes elongated upwards and backwards above 

 the articulation of the bone of the tongue, each process 

 having inserted upon it a slender muscle, b, figures 6 and 

 7, extending backwards to the glottis, and attached to the 

 os hyoides, which muscles, by their contraction, extend and 

 raise the scoop-like point. Underneath the articulation of 

 this horny and grooved appendage is another small muscle, 

 c, figure 7, which is attached at one extremity to the os 

 hyoides, at the other to the movable piece, and by its 

 action as an antagonist to the upper muscles, bends the cut- 

 ting point downwards and backwards ; while, therefore, 

 the points of the beak press the scale from the body of the 

 cone, the tongue, brought forward by its own muscle (genio 

 hyoideus), is enabled, by the additional muscles described, 



