338 ELEMENTARY PHYSIOLOGY 



the tongue are similarly forced against the back part of 

 the palate. 



An artificial larj'nx may be constructed by properly 

 adjusting elastic bands, which take the place of the vocal 

 cords ; and, when a current of air is forced through these, 

 due regulation of the tension of the bands will give rise to 

 all the notes of the human voice. As each vowel and 

 consonantal sound is produced by the modification of the 

 length and form of the cavities, which lie over the natural 

 larynx, so, by placing over the artificial larynx chambers 

 to which any requisite shape can be given, the various 

 letters may be sounded. It is by attending to these facts 

 and principles that various speaking machines have been 

 constructed. 



Although the tongue is credited with the responsibility 

 of speech, as the "unruly member," and undoubtedly 

 takes a very important share in its production, it is not 

 absolutely indispensable. Hence, the apparently fabulous 

 stories of people who have been enabled to speak, after 

 their tongues had been cut out by the cruelty of a tyrant, 

 or persecutor, may be quite true. 



Some years ago I had the opportunity of examining a 

 person, Avhom I will call Mr. R., whose tongue had been 

 removed as completely as a skilful surgeon could perform 

 the operation. When the mouth was widely opened, the 

 truncated face of the stump of the tongue, apparently 

 covered with new mucous membrane, was to be seen, 

 occupying a position as far back as the level of the an- 

 terior pillars of the fauces. The dorsum of the tongue 

 was visible with difficulty ; but I believe I could discern 

 some of the circumvallate papillae upon it. None of these 

 were visible upon the amputated part of the tongue, 

 which had been presei'ved in spirit ; and which, so far as 

 I could judge, was about 2h inches long. 



When his mouth was open, Mr. R. could advance his 

 tongue no further than the position in which I saw it ; 

 but he informed rae that, when his mouth was shut, 



