158 REPTILIA. 



whole, and the Tongue, though frequently developed to a very great 

 degree, seldom exhibits an organization adapted for the exercise of 

 the gustatory function. The tongue is very variously formed, be- 

 ing but slightly developed in many genera, and in some instances 

 scarcely projects from the bottom of the mouth ; it is for the most part 

 however freely moveable, frequently more or less deeply divided, and 

 surrounded at the root by a membranous sheath. 



The tongue is developed in the most imperfect manner in the 

 lowest order, or that which comes next to the Fishes, and is ac- 

 tually wanting entirely in the Proteus and Siren, though this is the 

 case in some other Batrachia, as Pipa. In the Tailed Batrachia, 

 as the Salamanders, the tongue is attached to the floor of the 

 mouth. In the Frogs and Toads the tongue, which is soft, and 

 lubricated by a viscid secretion, is free and bifurcated posteriorly, 

 but on the contrary, is broad where it is attached in front behind the 

 symphysis of the lower jaw, and under this form is admirably adapted 

 for being flirted out of the mouth with rapidity, to seize the prey that 

 adheres when touched to its apex. 



Among the Tortoises the tongue in the Marine species, at least in 

 Chelonia, is small and hard, slightly moveable in Emys, and provided 

 with depressions. In Testudo, on the contrary, it is more manifestly 

 constructed as an instrument of taste, being beset all over with small 

 soft papillae. 



In the Serpents the tongue is soft and smooth, generally long, 

 highly moveable and protrusile, slit at the apex, and surrounded at the 

 base by a sheath. The tongue is exactly similar in many Sauria, 

 as in the true Lizards, where it is very deeply slit, especially in the 

 genus Monitor ; it is entire, though at the same time retractile, in most 

 Apodal Sauria, as Anguis, Pseudopus. The smooth apapillary tongue 

 of the Crocodile is very flat, depressed, and united by its whole extent 

 to the floor of the mouth. 



The Chameleon is remarkable for the peculiar structure of its 

 lingual organ. It is very large and protractile, can be stretched 

 out to a great length like a worm, is traversed by a central canal, 

 and terminates in front by a kind of fleshy disc, which is concave, 

 and covered by a viscous secretion. The creature is able to dart 

 out the tongue suddenly to seize the prey that adheres the instant 

 it is touched to the tip of the organ, which is so extended during 

 the act as to appear even longer than the entire body : the exercise 

 of this function depends upon the peculiar structure and arrange- 

 ment of the lingual muscles. During rest the tongue lies retracted 



