WORMING. 305 



biting in the advanced stage of the disease ; we can hardly wonder 

 that this accomplished sportsman, as well as many others, should 

 have adopted the opinion stated. But if the experience of ob- 

 servers, whose opportunities of marking facts have been an hun- 

 dred-fold greater than their own ; and if also the attention of such 

 observers has been specifically directed to this subject, and has 

 turned out to be in direct contravention to the opinion so formed, 

 and to the facts so mistaken ; it would then bespeak an adherence 

 to error not altogether becoming enlightened and candid minds to 

 continue to advocate so unfounded a doctrine. 



This pseudo worm of the ancients, and stumbling-block of the 

 moderns, has nothing unique about it ; nor, as it exists here, is it 

 more than a type of many other integumental folds intended as 

 bridles or stops to the further extension or to the displacement of 

 parts : thus we have, beside the f'cenum lingucp, the f. labiorum ; 

 the f. preputii ; f. clitoridis, &c. &c., which are all dupllcatures of 

 the surrounding membranes, purposely thus folded to strengthen 

 the adherences of such parts as are particularly liable to be put on 

 the stretch : and that such is their specific purpose, is further de- 

 monstrable by some of them being adventitiously strengthened by 

 denser matter placed within the duplicature which constitutes the 

 bridle. In the dog's tongue, as already shewn, a fasciculus of ten- 

 dino-ligamentous fibres is enveloped within the membranous fold, 

 and which fibres, being attached by their extremities to the apex 

 and base of the tongue, assist in operating its motions generally, 

 but principally in preventing a retroversion of it down the throat, 

 as might otherwise happen in a convulsive spasm : it may also 

 assist, but in a minor degree, the lapping of fluids, as suggested by 

 Casserius : and so far from this part being peculiar to the caninae, 

 the fact is, that it is found in all animals where this organ is very 

 moveable or extensile. The human fraenum linguae is more 

 minpte ; but it is more strikingly apparent, and in structure more 

 dense even than that of the dog : and here so evident is its use, 

 that it would be torturing conjecture to devise any other purpose 

 for which it could be placed there. 



U 



