114 
HUMMING-BIRDS. 
per surface. They assist in retaining the different 
substances, which are immediately conveyed to the 
opening of the oesophagus by the contractility of 
the tubes. Our own examination, however, of the 
tongue of the Trochilus moschitus, relaxed with warm 
water, gave the appearance of a fimbriated opening 
at the tip, having the exterior margin of each fork set 
with recurved sharp-pointed pliable spines, as if to 
assist its viscidity in securing any substance seized by 
them. 
Their feet, as we have before said, are small and 
slender, and in general present the form which we see 
among the kingfishers, bee-eaters, and jackamars. 
The claws are rather large in proportion, very much 
hooked, very sharp, and may thereby assist in secu- 
ring a firmer grasp, but which is evidently little needed 
in their economy. For one purpose they would be 
useful, if Mr Bullock is correct in his observations ; 
that gentleman remarks, that, “ in sleeping they fre- 
