1. Palate of Buccinum undatum, common Whelk, seen under polarised light; 2. Palate of Doris tuberculata, Sea-slug.
The two ends of each longitudinal row of teeth are connected with muscles attached to the upper and lower surfaces of cartilaginous cushions; the alternate contractions and extensions of the muscles cause the bands of teeth to work backwards and forwards, after the fashion of a chain-saw, or rather of a rasp, upon any substance to which it is applied, and the resulting wear and tear of the anterior teeth are made good by a development of new teeth in the secreting sac in which the hinder end of the band is lodged. Besides the chain-saw-like motion of the band the lingual membrane has a kind of licking or scraping action as a whole. With the constant growth of the band new teeth are developed, when the teeth on the extreme portion of the band differ much in size and form from those in the median line.
As I have shown in the papers already referred to, that as each row is a repetition of the first, the arrangement of teeth admits of easy representation by a numerical formula, in which, when the uncini are very numerous, they are indicated by the sign ∞ (infinity), and the others by the proper figure. Thus, ∞ · 5 · 1 · 5 · ∞, which, in the genus Trochus, signifies that each row consists of one median, flanked on both sides by five lateral teeth, and these again by a large number of uncini. When only three areas are found, the outer ones must be considered the pleuræ, inasmuch as there is frequently a manifest division in the membrane between them and the lateral areas.
Most of the Cephalopod molluscs are provided with well-developed teeth, and they are, as we know, carnivorous. The teeth of the cuttle-fish, Sepia officinalis ([Plate V]., No. 111), resemble those of the Pteropoda, and have the same formula, 3 · 1 · 3. Sepia are also furnished with a retractile proboscis, and a prehensile spiny collar, apparently for the purpose of seizing and holding prey while the teeth are tearing it to pieces. In the squid Loligo ([Plate V]., No. 113) the median teeth are broad at the base, approach the tricuspid form with a prolonged acute central cusp, while the uncini are much prolonged and slightly curved. The lingual band increases in breadth towards the base, sometimes to twice that of the anterior portion. This band, mounted dry, forms an attractive object for black-ground illumination.
In another family, that of the rock-limpet, Patella radiata, the lingual band ([Plate V]., No. 116) well serves to distinguish it from the better-known common limpet. It is furnished with a remarkable long ribbon, studded by numerous rows of strong dark-brown tricuspid teeth. The lingual membrane when not in use lies folded up in the abdominal cavity. The teeth of Acmæa are somewhat differently arranged ([Plate V]., No. 117); their formula is 3 · 1 · 3.
Testacella maugei, belonging to Pulmonifera, is slug-like in appearance, and subterranean in its habits, chiefly feeding on earth-worms. During winter and in dry weather it forms a kind of cocoon, and thus completely encloses itself in an opaque white mantle; in this way it protects itself from frost and cold. Its lingual membrane is large, and covered with about fifty rows of divergent teeth, gradually diminishing in size towards the median row; each tooth is barbed and pointed, broader towards the base, and with an articulating nipple set in the basement membrane. A few rows are represented slightly magnified ([Plate V]., No. 121). Their formula is 0 0 · 1 · 0 0.
Tongues, etc., of Gasteropods.
Tuffen West, del. W. F. Maples, ad. nat. del. Edmund Evans.
Plate V.