16 H. W. MARETT TIMS. 
~ 
the epiglottis abutting against the posterior free (mesial) border of the palate. At 
this stage the aryteno-epiglottic folds are in close apposition, so that the cleft between 
their margins lies in the horizontal plane, whereas the true rima glottidis is vertical 
(fig. 15). The relation of the parts agrees in considerable detail with the description 
given by Waldeyer of the larynx in the Manatee (12). The intra-narial position of the 
epiglottis at an early foetal stage is interesting, in connection with the question as 
to whether tlfis condition is a secondary one in the Mammalia or not. The late 
Professor Howes (5), after bringing forward a considerable amount of evidence, 
concluded that a consideration of the facts “ weighs heavily against the supposition 
that the introduction of the epiglottis into the narial pharynx can have been a 
secondary process,” and further, “as the case stands the facts point to the uselessness 
of the epiglottis in deglutition, and, to my thinking, to a primary association in 
mammals between that organ and the velum palati for purposes of respiration 
exclusively through the nostrils.” 
In order to more effectually shut off the respiratory passage from the gullet the 
posterior margin of the velum palati grows backwards on either side of the larynx to 
become, in later foetal life, united with the dorsal wall of the cesophagus, the food 
having therefore to pass either to the right or left of the larynx. 
Even in the oldest specimens at my disposal there is no trace of any tubular 
prolongation of the larynx and epiglottis such as is present in the Cetacea; indeed, 
the epiglottis in these seals is relatively diminutive. The particular adaptation here 
present to prevent the entrance of water into the lungs approaches much more closely 
to that of the Sirenia than to that of the Cetacea. 
The high pitch of the voice referred to by Dr. Wilson is probably due to the 
relative shortness of the vocal cords. 
The only other fact to record in regard to the larynx is that I was unable to 
detect the existence of the cartilaginous nodule lying in the thyro-hyoid ligament 
which Dr. Murie found to be present in the Sea-lion (Otaria jubata), or of the 
somewhat similar nodule, described by Howes, lying along the inner edge of the 
posterior corner of the hyoid bone which he regarded as a “remnant of one of the 
post-oral visceral arches such as are now known. . . to exist in the urodele amphibia.” 
The trachea passes backwards with a considerable ventral curve. Owing to the 
curvature of the cervical spine, to which reference has already been made, it lies to 
one side of the median line (in the specimen examined the trachea was to the left 
side). The trachea bifurcates into a right and left bronchus, the right being in almost 
direct continuation with the trachea itself. The eparterial bronchus is given off from 
the right side of the trachea on a level with its bifurcation. 
The right lung has the usual three lobes of the Mammalia, the left lung being 
bi-lobed. Of the two the right lung is much the more massive. Owing to the great 
dorso-ventral obliquity of the diaphragm, the postero-dorsal margins of both lungs 
are prolonged backwards for some considerable distance ; but, a condition which one 
