162 



APPENDIX. 



The tongue of Leptosoma, of which Mr. Newton has also kindly lent me a specimen, is 

 remarkable for its thin horny nature and pellucid appearance, and (as far as I can tell, the 



FIG. 6. 



FIG. 7. 



Sternum of Leptosoma. 



FIG. 8. 



example not being quite perfect) for being without any traces of laceration at its extremity. It is 

 much lengthened, and of nearly uniform thickness throughout ; but the sides are bent upwards, 



leaving a deep medial channel, which grows 

 shallower towards the base, where it termi- 

 nates in two simple lateral projections without 

 any traces of papillae. 



In a note to his ' System der Pterylo- 

 graphie' (antea, p. 92), Nitzsch has stated that 

 in two examples of Leptosoma examined by 

 him the outer toe " appeared to have/owr pha- 

 langes," instead of five, the normal number. 

 This, however, is not the case : Leptosoma 

 does not diverge from the ordinary rule among 

 birds in this respect. The structure of its feet 

 may be described as follows : 



The tarsus is rather longer than the second digit, measuring 1*2 in. in length. It is covered 

 in front with a series of ten or twelve irregular oblong scutes, which are divided in the upper and 

 lower portion of the tarsus, but entire in the middle. On the outer side is a series of smaller 

 similar scutes. Behind, the tarsus is covered with numerous small irregular hexagonal scutes, 

 which extend over the lower surface of the planta. 



The first or posterior digit measures O63 in. in length, including the nail, and is placed 

 behind in its usual position. The second and third digits are placed directly in front, and 

 measure 0'63 and 1'5 in. respectively (with the nail). They show no appearance of syndactylism, 

 being separated nearly to the base. The fourth digit measures Til in. in length, and, as I have 



Tongue of Leptosoma. 



