278 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGICAL ANATOMY. 
In structure , it is formed of a flattened band of yellow elastic 
fibrous tissue, radiating slightly, from behind forwards, at its 
margins. The physical properties of this structure, therefore, 
sufficiently explain the “ curling up” of the “ dying worm” when 
it is removed from the living animal; for wherever this yellow 
elastic tissue is forcibly extended, and the extending force with- 
drawn, the recoiling of its fibres on itself constitutes its inherent 
and peculiar properties*. These radiations, laterally and from 
behind forwards, will also explain the very often breaking of the 
worm during its being forcibly pulled from before backwards. 
In its use, it serves as an elastic, suspensory ligament to the long 
and extended tongue ; and, like the ligamentum nuchse, it prevents 
what, under other circumstances, would have caused the presence 
of a great degree of muscular power, in an organ otherwise so 
small and limited. From its connexion with the elastic ligament 
of the epiglottis, it also exerts a considerable influence on this 
structure, and, through it, on the upper aperture of the larynx. 
When this “ linea albescens,” therefore, is wantonly destroyed, 
as a mere excuse for ignorance and deluded superstition, the 
function of the tongue becomes very much impaired in its own 
movements; and also the position of the epiglottis will become 
much changed and be depressed over the aperture of the larynx, 
and thus tend to impede the natural process of inspiration. 
The connexion between “ worming” the tongue of an unfortunate 
dog and the cure or prevention of canine madness, has therefore 
no foundation in nature. This innocent structure has not the most 
distant connexion either with those structures in which the mor- 
bid poison is generated or with those by which, when formed, it 
is inoculated into a healthy animal. A much more rational plan, 
therefore, would be to decapitate the poor animal at once, and 
thus the real mechanical causes of biting would be, for a certainty, 
destroyed (viz. the elevators of the lower jaw, the pterygoid and 
masseter muscles, and the teeth), the entire tongue with its 
“ worm,” and “ Marochettian vesicles” (if such ever did exist) 
injured; and also, what is of more importance, the speedy and 
easy death of the animal would take place. It is to be hoped, 
therefore, that this barbarous operation will henceforth only form a 
spot, if not a blot, in the annals of veterinary science and history. 
On making an oblique section of the entire thickness of the 
membrane, on either side of the median raphe, it appears to differ 
somewhat in its two anterior thirds from that which is seen in its 
posterior ; and hence it has been looked on by Gerdy as warranting 
* Vide Lauth, Mullers Archives fur Anatomie, &c. 1835; Eulcnberg, de 
tela elastiea, Barol. 1836; Schwann, Mullers Archives, 1836; Skey, Philo- 
soph. Trans. London , 1836. 
