xvi.] CARNIVORA. 289 



which is reflected over the root (a) of the horny claw, and 

 holds it more firmly in its place. In those genera, as Felis t 

 in which the claws are retractile, the middle phalanx (///') 

 is deeply hollowed on its ulnar side to receive the ungual 

 phalanx when folded back upon it, in the quiescent state of 

 the foot. 



In the Pinnipedia, the manus is broader and flatter 

 than in the terrestrial Carnivora. The scaphoid and lunar 

 coalesce. The ulnar side of the carpus is much reduced, 

 the unciform being especially small, and consequently the 

 fifth metacarpal articulates partly with the cuneiform of the 

 proximal row of the carpus. The pisiform is small. The 

 first digit is nearly as long as the second ; the remainder 

 gradually diminish in length to the fifth. The ungual pha- 

 langes in the ordinary Seals are slender, pointed, slightly 

 curved, and not much compressed. In the Otariidce they are 

 prolonged beyond the part which bears the very small claw, 

 and flattened and truncated at the ends, being continued 

 onwards in the living animal as cartilaginous rays, which 

 support lobed expansions of the skin. 



Among the INSECTIVORA, the scaphoid and lunar coalesce 

 in Galeopithecus, Tupaia, Ctntetes, Sohnodon, Erinaceus, and 

 Gymnura^ but in most of the other forms these bones are 

 distinct. A distinct os centrale is found in all except 

 Galeopithecus, Potamogale, Chrysochloris, and Sorex. 



There are nearly always five digits, but Rhynchocyon, 

 Oryzoryctes tetradactylus and Chrysochloris have but four, 

 the pollex being absent. The whole hand is generally 

 of moderate size, with pointed, conical, slightly curved, 

 ungual phalanges. 



In common with every segment of the anterior extremity, 

 the manus of the Mole (Talpd] and its immediate allies is 

 extremely modified to suit its fossorial habits (see Fig 95). 



u 



