1883.] TONGUES OF THE MARSUPIALS. 61/ 



Science' for January 1883. I will shortly recapitulate the main 

 features to show the relations to the other tongues described in this 

 paper. I received from Professor Moseley the back part of the 

 organ. The three circumvallate papillae (see fig. xviii. Plate LIV.) 

 are very large (for so small a tongue) and resemble one another ; 

 they are radially symmetrical, only differing (Voin those of higher 

 mammals in their constricted bases and in the primitive type of 

 bulb always present in Marsupials. They present a large circular 

 area to a surface view (as in Didelphys, the posterior papilla of 

 Phalangista &c., and in higher mammals). There is no lateral 

 organ. The fungiform papillae are scattered over the surface, but 

 especially distributed along the sides ; they contain more primitive 

 bulbs than the circumvallate papillae. The filiform papillae are 

 generally long and pointed, and they extend from the usual posi- 

 tion, upwards and backwards, to the circumvallate papillary region. 

 The coronate papillae are normal. 



Thus the tongue comes nearest to that of Didelphys (as I'ar as 

 this form could be investigated), and with the latter is the nearest 

 approach to the structure of this organ in the higher mammals. It 

 again begins a new type, characterized chiefly by the possession of 

 three similar radially symmetrical circumvallate papillae. 



The Tongue of Didelphys quica. 



The specimen had been preserved in spirit and the minute 

 structures could not be made out ; but some important points were 

 ascertained, especially concerning the coronate papillae, which were 

 not much altered. The general description of the organ is also 

 probably accurate in nearly all points. T used the same methods of 

 hardening that were adopted with Maeropus. I was extremely in- 

 terested to observe how far the American form would follow the 

 marsupial type as regards the coronate papillae. 



General description. — Tlie size and appearance of the tongue, as 

 seen from above, are shown in fig. xi. Plate LIV. (natural size). The 

 transverse grooves crossing the organ in front of the circumvallate 

 papillae are probably due to contraction. The tip was injured, and I 

 am not certain that it possessed an even contour as it is drawn. 

 There were some indications of a division into lobe-like papillae or 

 processes, but I cannot be sure of this. The three similar circum- 

 vallate papillae are round and large, resembling those of Perameles (see 

 paper above referred to), but not so large in comparison with the 

 size of the tongue. As seen from above they (together with those of 

 Perameles') resemble the circumvallate papillae in higher animals, in 

 their radial symmetry and the size of the circular area exposed. 

 There is a very even (though short) row of large upward and inward 

 curving filiform papillae in the usual position, but I could detect 

 no traces of a lateral organ. The fungiform papillae were not well 

 preserved, but a few large ones are seen in the usual place. The 

 junction of the papillate and non-papillate surfaces is sharp, but the 

 latter is slightly rough. The coronate papillae, covering a patch 



