434 Mr. Home's Observations on the 



alveolar processes, from the outer and inner edges of the jaw, 

 to secure them in their places, but no transverse ones between 

 the two teeth. 



The tongue is extremely short, not half an inch long; and 

 the moveable portion not more than a quarter of an inch; the 

 papilla* on its surface are long, and of a conical form. When 

 the tongue is drawn in, it can be brought intirely into the 

 mouth ; and, when extended, can be projected about a quarter 

 of an inch into the beak. 



The organ of smell, in this animal, differs, in some particulars, 

 from that of quadrupeds in general, as well as of birds. The ex- 

 ternal openings of this organ are placed nearly at the end of the 

 beak, there being only the lip beyond them ; while the turbinated 

 bones are in the same relative situation to the other parts of the 

 skull as in quadrupeds ; by which means, there are two cavities 

 the whole length of the beak, superadded to the organ of smell. 



The turbinated bones in each nostril are two in number, and 

 are distinct from each other. That next the beak is the longest, 

 has a more variegated surface than in the duck, and has the 

 long axis in the direction of the nostril ; the posterior one is 

 short, projects farther into the nostril, and the ridges are in a 

 transverse direction. 



The posterior nostrils do not open directly under the turbi- 

 nated bones, as in the duck, but about an inch farther back, and 

 are extremely small ; the cavities of the nose, in this animal, 

 are therefore uncommonly extensive; they reach from the end 

 of the beak nearly to the occiput. 



The beak itself is formed by the projecting bones already men- 

 tioned, covered with a smooth black skin, which extends some 

 way beyond the bones, both in front and laterally, forming a 

 moveable lip. This lip is so strong, that, when dried or hardened 



