4 
WOODPECKEES. 
Woodpecker {Chrysopteriis viridis) of this country, 
but it is seen in the greater and lesser spotted species. 
The tongue has also a peculiar formation ; it is vermi- 
form, or worm-like, barbed at its point like the head 
of an Indian spear, and is capable, by means of the 
curious construction of its muscles, of being thrown 
out to a great length. In order to convey some notion 
of the manner in which this is effected, we have copied 
the figure given in Dr. Roget’s Bridgewater Treatise, 
with the accompanying description and explanation. 
The figure represents the head of the Woodpecker 
with the skin removed, and the parts dissected. The 
tongue, a, is sup])orted on a slender os Tiyoides, or 
lingual hone, to the posterior end of which the ex- 
tremities of two very long and narrow cartilaginous 
processes are articulated. The one on the right side 
is shown in the figure nearly in the whole extent of its 
course at h, c, d, e, and a small part of the left carti- 
lage is seen at f. Tlie two cartilages form, at their 
