This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850 Excerpt: ...or heads, and yet they are not furnished with any apparatus either of teeth or claws, by which their food may be divided; it must be swallowed whole. The elasticity of membranous viscera, such as the gullet or the stomach, we readily conceive, might be sufficiently great to allow of the passage of large masses of food; ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850 Excerpt: ...or heads, and yet they are not furnished with any apparatus either of teeth or claws, by which their food may be divided; it must be swallowed whole. The elasticity of membranous viscera, such as the gullet or the stomach, we readily conceive, might be sufficiently great to allow of the passage of large masses of food; but the fixed and unyielding nature of the bones of the mouth in most animals would prevent the possibility of this. In the reptiles before us, however, a singular and beautiful deviation from this ordinary condition of fixity in the bones of the mouth meets the necessity of the case, and allows of an immense expansion of the parts. The structure may be thus familiarly explained. The lower jaw, which is much longer, and extends much farther back than the skull, is not hinged to the upper jaw, SKULL OF SNAKE. but is suspended at the end of a long slender bone, which is attached to the hinder-part of the skull by muscles and ligaments so as to be very moveable. It will be readily seen how this contrivance permits a very wide expansion of the posterior part of the lower jaw, which is attained in a less degree in front by the nature of the union of the two branches, they not being soldered together there as usual, but simply tied by ligaments. Other bones of the skull have a correspondent freedom. Both pairs of jaws, for the most part, are set with numerous slender acute teeth, having a double curve, and pointing backwards: the bones of the palate also are furnished with similar teeth, so that there are four nearly equal rows of teeth in the upper part of the mouth, and two in the lower. The mode of swallowing prey is as follows: --Some of the front teeth being struck into the victim, one side of the lower jaw is thrust forward as far as the ligam..
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Add this copy of Natural History. Reptiles to cart. $47.18, like new condition, Sold by Phatpocket Limited rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Waltham Abbey, ESSEX, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Rarebooksclub.com.
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Add this copy of Natural History. Reptiles to cart. $61.07, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2016 by Palala Press.