762 DR. C. F. SONNTAG ON THE COMPARATIVE ANATOMY 



tongue fire developed to an equal degree in the Primates, but 

 the degree of developTnent of the entire basal mass varies. 



The jiharyngeal part of the tongue possesses a variable degree 

 of development of lymphoid nodules, and a variable number of 

 orifices of pits and the ducts of glands ; and the latter are 

 of value for distinguishing the tongues of the various genera of 

 the Cercopithecidse from one another. Orifices are visible in all 

 Oercopithecidse, but are absent from most Cebidse, so are of 

 classificatory importance when taken in conjunction Avith the 

 characters of the la.teral organs and mode of arrangement of 

 the conical papilla?. The following are the characters of the 

 orifices in the Cercopithecidpe : — 



Genus Preshytes : — Orifices larger and more patulous than in 

 any other genus, and lie in the centres of large round glandular 

 areas. Tlie salivary glands are enormous. 



Genus Cei-copithecus : — Orifices well-marked, discrete and not 

 patulous, and no white areas present aroiind them. 



Genus Macacns : — Orifices like pin points. 



Genus Cercocebus : — Small duct oi'ifices present at the sides of 

 the base of the tongue. 



Genus Papio : — Large duct orifices present at the sides of the 

 base of the tongue. 



In many of the Cebidse the nodules on the base form zones, 

 with coneaA^e anterior borders, in front of the epiglottis, but 1 did 

 not observe a similar condition in any other family. 



The Prenal Lamella varies greatly in the Primates, and appears 

 to belong to the floor of the mouth rather than to the tongue. 

 It varies even in several examples of the same species, so is of 

 limited value for purposes of classification. 



In Homo, Smiia satyrus, and some specimens of Sym2'>]iatangi{s 

 syndactylns it appears as two simple folds over Wharton's Ducts ; 

 but Mr. Pocock informs me tha,t he observed two well-marked 

 processes in a young Simia. satyrus. I cannot believe, however, 

 in conformity with my observations on the tongues of other 

 animals, that reduction in the lamella is a, change due to 

 advancing years. In other species the lamella appeal's as a 

 triangular or tongue-shaped process Avith an entiie or divided 

 apex and Avith both edges entire, serrated, or bearing small sharp 

 points. The sharpest and most prominent points on the edges 

 occur in Cercopithecits jji^ettssi and some specimens of Celncs 

 fatuelhis. 



The Orifices of Wharton s Ducts vary in their position on the 

 lamella as folloAA'S : — 



1. On the upper surface — Oorilla (jorilJa. 



2. On the apex — Anthropojntheciis troglodytes. 



3. On the under surface — Pithecia satanas. 



Tlie apical position is the commonest form, hoAvoA^er. 



Tuckerman described a rich nerve plexus Avith peripheral nerve 

 endings in the lamella of Ateles ater, and Gegenbaur considered 

 that the endino-s Avere tactile in function. As this condition has 



