610 MR. E. B. POULtON ON THE [DeC. 18, 



gland-ducts were visible. The raphe, inferior median ridge and 

 grooves, and the arrangement of the coronate papillae are all exactly 

 as in Macropus. 



Obviously this organ is very close to that of Macropus. 



The Tongue of Dasyurus maugcei. 



Quite recently I received a fresh tongue of this species ; and I am 

 very glad to be able to add the general description, because until 

 now I have not had the opportunity of investigating this organ in 

 any of the Marsupialia Sarcophaga, and I felt uncertain as to 

 whether the previous observations (such as the existence of coronate 

 papillae) would hold. I was also much interested in ascertaining 

 whether the organ was much modified by the very distinct change 

 of habits, and in determining the relative resemblance of this organ 

 to the other various types. 



The shape was not remarkable, the tip being simply rounded as 

 seen from above and forming a rather sharp edge. The junction 

 between the papillate and non-papillate surfaces was sharp and 

 even ; the ridge and grooves as usual. There is a slight trace of a 

 median raphe. The circumvallate papillae form the usual triangle, 

 which is here fairly equilateral, but the sides are a little shorter 

 than the base. The papillae seem to be bilaterally symmetrical, and 

 their tall pointed apices are directed backwards. If this is tlie 

 condition in the living state, it is unique as far as I have yet 

 observed. The posterior papilla seems to be a little larger than the 

 others. They are all studded with small protuberances (secondary 

 papillae) on the anterior side of the lowest part visible. The upper 

 recurved part exactly resembles a large filiform papilla, and as these 

 are common round the circumvallate papillae, the suggestion arises 

 that the available (otherwise unused) surface of the latter has been 

 modified into the former. There seems to be no trace of a lateral 

 organ. The fungiform papillae are distributed as usual, extending 

 round the tip and scattered over the whole upper surface in con- 

 siderable abundance. The filiform papillae are long and also flap- 

 like ; they are continued backwards and upwards from the usual 

 position on to the area of the circumvallate papillae, as has been 

 previously described in Perameles. Posteriorly the coronate pa- 

 pillae seem to be transitional into the filiform papillae by a relative 

 increase in the posterior secondary papilla and a gradual dis- 

 appearance of the rest of the ring (also noticed in Perameles and 

 the same general tendency in many forms). The coronate papillae 

 seem to be well developed and of normal structure over the whole 

 of the upper surface. Of course this can only be rendered certain 

 by sections. Posteriorly in the middle line, just in front of the 

 anterior circumvallate papillae, it appears that the secondary papillae 

 are much shortened, but traces of them can be made out. 



Thus upon the whole this tongue comes nearest to the Hal- 

 matiirus type, in the possession of three bilaterally symmetrical 

 circumvallate papillae. But this conclusion is not certain, and may 



