94 MR. W. A. FORBES ON THE ANATOMY [Jan. 3, 
5. Note on the Gall-bladder, and some other Points in the 
Anatomy of the Toucans and Barbets (Capitonide). 
By W. A. Forsezs, B.A., Prosector to the Society. 
[Received December 30, 1881. ] 
The statement has been made, and copied’, that a gall-bladder is 
absent in the Toucans. The latest writer on the visceral anatomy of 
birds, Dr. Hans Gadow *, describing the gall-bladder of the ‘ Coccy- 
gomorphee,” says :—“Ahamphastus compensirt das Fehlen der Blase 
durch einen sehr langen (9 cm.) und weiten Ductus Choledochus ” 
(ne. p10). 
On dissecting, therefore, some months ago a fresh specimen of 
Pteroglossus wiedi, 1 was considerably surprised to find a peculiarly 
long and tubular gall-bladder, which lay superficially, covering the 
other abdominal viscera and extending far down in the abdominal 
cavity, its fundus nearly reaching the cloacal region of the intestine. 
My attention having been thus called to the point, I have since, 
whenever opportunity has offered, always looked for this viscus, and 
have now ascertained its presence in specimens of RAhamphastos cari- 
natus, vitellinus, and dicolorus, Pteroglossus wiedi (3), Selenidera 
maculirostris, and Aulacorhamphus prasinus. The annexed drawing 
(fig., p. 95) will show its general form and relations, as seen in afresh 
specimen of Rhamphastos dicolorus. In the specimen figured the 
total length of the gall-bladder was not less than 4°15 inches. The 
cystic duct originated ‘85 inch from the liver, and was 17 inch long. 
In other cases the duct arises much nearer the portal fissure. Its 
presence, therefore, in all Toucans is nearly certain *. 
It is also present, of exactly the same general form, and with the 
same relations, in all the Capitonine I have examined as regards this 
point, namely Megalema virens (a fresh specimen), M. franklini, and 
Xantholema rosea. Its presence in Indicator in a similar form is 
almost certain, from the intimate relationship of that genus to the 
Barbets and Toucans. Unfortunately I can give no exact information 
on this point, the only specimen J have of an Indicator having been 
eviscerated. 
The only other family of birds in which, so far as I am aware, 
the gall-bladder assumes this peculiar vermiform shape, and lies 
* Owen, Anat. Vert. ii. p. 177; Macalister, Morph. Vert. p. 194; Orisp, P.Z.S. 
1862, p. 137. 
2 “Versuch ein. vergleich. Anatomie des Verdauungssystemes d. Vogel,” Jen. 
Zeitschr. xiii. n. F. vi. 
5 Tt is but due to the late Prof. Garrod to say that he also had noted this 
peculiar gall-bladder, aptly characterized by him as “ iutestiniform,” in several 
Toucans dissected by him, including &. Cuvier and carinatus and P. wiedi. 
It is also, I find, correctly described by Meckel (‘Traité général,’ &c., Paris, 1838, 
t. viii. p. 289), as follows :—‘‘ La conformation de la vésicule est extrémement 
curieuse chez le toucan (Aamphastos). lle y est d’une longueur si énorme, 
qu’elle occupe la cavité abdominale toute entiére: elle est trés rétrécie, et res- 
semble plutot 4 un cecum qu’a une yésicule.” I made my first observations 
unaware of either of the above facts. 
