CARPOPHAGA. 113 



is rapidly absorbed, and its situation scarcely to be 

 observed upon the surface of the bill. The feet are 

 powerful, and formed for grasping, the soles being 

 flat and greatly extended. As in the other members 

 of this group, the hind toe is fully developed and long, 

 and the exterior longer than the inner toe. 



They inhabit the forests of India, the Moluccas, 

 Celebes, Australia, and the Pacific Isles. Their food 

 consists of fruits and berries. That of the precious 

 nutmeg, or rather its soft covering, known to us by 

 the name of Mace, at certain seasons affords a fa- 

 vourite repast to some species, and upon this luxu- 

 rious dk-t they become so loaded with fat, as fre- 

 quently when shot to burst asunder when they fall 

 to the ground. And here we may remark on the 

 remarkable provision Nature has made for the pro- 

 pagation as well as the dissemination of this valuable 

 spice, for the nutmeg itself, which is generally swal- 

 lowed with the whole of its pulpy covering, passes un- 

 injured through the digestive organs of the bird, and is 

 thus dispersed throughout the group of the Moluccas 

 and other islands of the east. Indeed, from repeat- 

 ed experiments, it appears that an artificial prepara- 

 tion, analogous to that which it undergoes in its pas- 

 sage through the bird, is necessary to ensure the 

 growth and fertility of the nut ; and it was not till 

 after many and unsuccessful attempts had been made 

 that a lixivium of lime, in which the nuts were steep- 

 ed for a certain time, was found to have the wished- 

 for effect, arid to induce the germinating tendency. 



VOL. IX. H 



