VIOLET PLANTAIN-EATER. 
221 
the annexed cut will give a correct idea of the posi- 
tion of the exterior fore-toe, when turned oi).t as 
much as its nature will admit. 
This form of foot is not peculiar to the present 
genus, hut seems to he characteristic of all the true 
Musophagidm excepting Colias, where all the four 
toes are more or less directed forwards. 
The bill of this interesting bird is equally remark- 
able, not merely as to its singular form — for it 
enlarges and spreads like a casque upon the head — 
but likewise as to its substance, which is both light 
and semi-transparent. This fact has never been 
noticed, probably because it would not be very 
apparent in an ill-pTeserved specimen. T wo mag- 
nificent skins, however, now before us, have been 
taken great pains with : the rich colouring of the 
hill has been preserved, probably by the blood being 
extracted, so that when held in a strong light, there 
are evident indications of that cellular texture of 
nerves, hitherto thought to he peculiar to the 
toucans. We know that this circumstance, if cor- 
rect, may militate against our opinion that this is a 
