52 STUDIES IN COMPAKATIVE ANATOMY. 



stratum. These bands are separated from the insertion of the 

 anterior fibres of the palato-])haryngeus by a considerable elastic 

 pouch, opening backwards into the pharynx, and lined by a con- 

 tinuation of the mucous membrane of that cavity. 



Immediately in front of the epiglottis is a vertical transverse 

 elastic fold, which projects from the floor, and especially from 

 the sides, of the pharynx, but not so far as to materially obstruct 

 the passage. Smaller secondary folds proceed backwards from 

 this at right angles, passing lougitudinally upon the floor of the 

 pharynx outside the laryngeal aperture. When the pharynx is 

 seen from above and behind, there are therefore visible three 

 cavities on each side, divided from each other by mucous folds. 

 In front of the epiglottis, behind the transverse fold, and inside 

 the longitudinal secondary fold just described, is a small recess, 

 ■ with a small gland in its floor. To the outer side of this is a 

 larger cavity, in which a larger gland can be seen ; it is included 

 between the transverse fold, the secondary longitudinal fold, and 

 the lateral attachment of the velum. Between the lateral attach- 

 ment of the velum and the proper pharyngeal wall is a third and 

 much more capacious receptacle, which has been described in 

 connection with the 'palato-fliaryngeiis. 



The wall of the pharynx is largely composed of yellow elastic 

 tissue, overlaid by the constrictor muscles. The ijalato-'pharyn- 

 geus lies deeper, and is inserted into the inner surface of the 

 elastic wall. 



Dr Watson has described, in connection with the pharynx, a 

 peculiar structure which throws light on a previously un- 

 explained faculty of the elephant, viz., the power which the 

 animal possesses, according to more than one competent observer, 

 of withdrawing large qua ati ties of water by inserting the tip of 

 the trunk into the mouth. He observes that 



" It is evident that were the throat of this animal similar to that of 

 other mammals, this [withdrawal by the trunk] could not be accom- 

 plished, as the insertion of a body, such as the trunk, so far into the 

 pharynx as to enable the constrictor muscles of that organ to grasp it, 

 would at one give rise to a paroxysm of cougliing, or were the trunk 

 merely inserted into the mouth, it would be requisite that this cavity 

 be kept constantly filled with water at the same time that the lips 

 closely encircled the inserted trunk. The formation of the mouth of 

 the elephant, hoAvever, is such as to prevent the trunk ever being 



