The correct answer is **(c) tongs**.
### Explanation:
- **Tongs** are tools specifically designed for picking up and holding hot objects, such as crucibles or other glassware that have been heated. They provide a safe way to handle objects that are too hot to touch directly, reducing the risk of burns or accidents.
- A **crucible** is a container used for heating substances to very high temperatures, but it is not used for picking up hot objects.
- An **evaporating dish** is used for evaporating solvents from a solution, typically using heat, but it is not used for handling or picking up hot objects.
- An **Erlenmeyer flask** is a type of laboratory glassware used to mix chemicals or heat them, but it is not a tool for handling hot objects.
- A **mortar and pestle** is used for grinding and mixing substances, usually solids, into fine powders or pastes, but it is not designed for handling hot objects.
Therefore, **tongs** are the appropriate tool for picking up extremely hot objects in a laboratory setting.