. The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy; Physiology; Zoology. 315 In the Humming-bird, and especially in the Toucan and Woodpecker, the horny sheath of the glosso-hyal presents singular pecu- liarities. In the Humming-bird it is divided at its extremity into a pencil of fine hairs, well fitted for imbibing the nectar and farina of flowers. In the Toucan's tongue (fig. 152) the sheath gives oft' from the lateral margins stiff bristle-like processes which project for- wards ; this structure is continued to the apex, Os hyuidtts and hiryiu: Swan. Fig. and the tongue so provided
. The cyclopædia of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy; Physiology; Zoology. 315 In the Humming-bird, and especially in the Toucan and Woodpecker, the horny sheath of the glosso-hyal presents singular pecu- liarities. In the Humming-bird it is divided at its extremity into a pencil of fine hairs, well fitted for imbibing the nectar and farina of flowers. In the Toucan's tongue (fig. 152) the sheath gives oft' from the lateral margins stiff bristle-like processes which project for- wards ; this structure is continued to the apex, Os hyuidtts and hiryiu: Swan. Fig. and the tongue so provided becomes an in- strument for testing the softness and ripe- ness of fruit, and the fitness of other objects for food, thereby acting as a kind of antenna or feeler. A similar but less developed struc- ture is found in the tongue of the frugivorous Touraco. In the Woodpeckers the apex of the horny sheath (a, fig. 153, 154) gives off at; the sides short-pointed processes directed back- wards, which thus convert it into a barbed instrument, fitted for holding fast the insects which its sharp point has transfixed, after the strong beak has dislodged them from their hiding places. The cornua of the os hyoides in the Woodpecker extend backwards to the vertebral column, wind round the back of the head, and converge as they pass forwards to be inserted in a canal generally on the right side of the upper mandible (d, e, fig. 153, 154.) Fig. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Todd, Robert Bentley, 1809-1860. London, Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper
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