104 
hard bony point like a needle, and which 
it can dart out three or four inches from 
the beak, and draw in again at pleasure. 
The larger insects are by this means 
transfixed, and the smaller withdrawn by 
adhesion, which being swallowed, the 
dart is again launched forth to procure a 
fresh supply. 
The organs by which the tongue is 
enabled to perform its functions with such 
amazing celerity, may certainly be classed 
among the most extraordinary productions 
of nature.* Two small round cartilages are 
fastened into thebony tipbeforementioned, 
running along the whole length of the 
tongue. These cartilages, from the root 
of the tongue, take a circuit beyond the 
ears; and being reflected backwards above 
the crown of the head, enter the base of 
the beak, forming a large bow. The 
muscular, spongy flesh of the tongue, 
incloses these cartilages like a sheath; 
and is so constituted, that it may be ex- 
tended or contracted like a worm. The 
* See the skeleton of the head on the plate of the Green 
Woodpecker. 
