VOL. XXX.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 271 



short, scarcely the eighth part of an inch deep. An admirable invention of 

 nature, by the help of which, and of the sharp ridge abovementioned, this 

 bird holds his slippery prey the faster. 



Dr. Grew agreeing in opinion with many authors that this bird moves its 

 upper jaw, argues for such motion from the peculiar structure of the rostrum; 

 alleging however, that there can be no certainty on this point, without inspec- 

 tion into the muscles, and the articulation of the bones. " As for the phoenicop- 

 ter," says he, " it must needs be said, that the shape and size of the upper 

 beak (which here, contrary to what it is in all other birds that I have seen, is 

 thinner and far less, than the nether) speaks it to be the more fit for motion, or 

 to make the appulse, and the nether to receive it." 



The Explanation of the Figures, Tab, II. — Fig. 10, pi. 7> gives a side view 

 of the head and bill. Fig. 11, represents a front view of the same parts. 

 Fig. 1*2, exhibits the under side of the tongue next the underbill : in which a 

 denotes a cartilaginous substance that covers the tip or extremity of the tongue; 

 b a glandulous substance at its basis; c the horns of the os hyoides. In fig. 13, 

 the upper side of the tongue is fairly delineated, on which are seen two rows 

 of strong papillae nerveae; their apices or points turning inwards, for the better 

 retention of the prey. In fig. 14, the tongue is drawn in a lateral view, to 

 show the true figure of these papillae, which being hooked and turned backwards 

 in a great measure prevent the return of any little animal swallowed alive, 

 which they feed upon. In fig. 1 5, the cornua or horns of the os hyoidaeum 

 are drawn, as all the other parts are, half the size of life. 



END OF VOLUME TWENTY-NINTH OF THE ORIGINAL. 



* Observations 4)f the Occultation of a Fixed Star in Gemini by the Body of 

 Jupiter, Jan. 11.. 1717? 0. S. And of a Transit of Mars over the Northern 

 Star in the forehead of Scorpio, Feb. 5, in the Morning. N° 351, p. 546. 

 Translated from the Latin. Vol. XXX. 



In the Phil. Trans. N° 344,-|~ we hinted to the curious, that there was to be 

 an occultation of a fixed star by Jupiter, and desired they would observe so very 

 uncommon a phenomenon, and of such considerable use in astronomy; signify- 

 ing at the same time, that this would happen Jan. 10, 17 17. But Jupiter being 

 almost stationary, and advanced towards the east a little farther than by our 

 tables, the occultation did not happen before the 1 1 th ; and it was not observed 

 at London, as could be wished, by reason of clouds. 



* Apparently either by Mr. Flamsteed or Dr. Halley, but probably the latter. : 



t Page l68 of this volume of these Abridgments, 



