MAXin.K 207 



its body, with linos; of thinner cuticle between. Under the micro- 

 scope, sections of these thicker tracts show that they are composed 

 of hue hairs, cemented together by a copious growth of epidermic 

 cells ; here and there larger hairs are seen, but these fail to reach 

 the surface, turning again towards the inside, like nails driven into 

 wood that is too hard for their points." 



The same author also observes 1 that there are occasional in- 

 stances of the presence of eight cervical vertebra? in the Pangolins 

 — a feature which has been considered to indicate some former 

 genetic connection between this family and the Sloths. 



The following account of the habits of Maui* tricustpis is given by 

 Mr. L. Fraser in his Zoologia Typica : — 



"During my short residence at Fernando Po I succeeded in 

 procuring two living specimens of this animal. The individuals, 

 judging from the bones, were evidently not adult ; the largest 

 measured 30 inches in length, of which the head and body were 

 1 2 inches and the tail 1 8 inches. I kept them alive for about a 

 ■week at Fernando Po, and allowed them the range of a room, where 

 they fed upon a small black ant, which is very abundant and trouble- 

 some in the houses and elsewhere. Even when first procured they 

 displayed little or no fear, but continued to climb about the room 

 without noticing my occasional entrance. They would climb up 

 the somewhat roughly -hewn square posts which supported the 

 building with great facility, and upon reaching the ceiling would 

 return head foremost ; sometimes they would roll themselves up 

 into a ball and throw themselves down, and apparently without 

 experiencing any inconvenience from the fall, which was in a 

 measure broken upon reaching the ground by the semi -yielding- 

 scales, which were thrown into an erect position by the curve of 

 the body of the animal. In climbing, the tail, with its strongly 

 pointed scales beneath, was used to assist the feet ; and the grasp 

 of the hind feet, assisted by the tail, was so powerful that the 

 animal would throw the body back (when on the post) into a 

 horizontal position, and sway itself to and fro, apparently taking- 

 pleasure in this kind of exercise. It always slept with the body 

 rolled up ; and when in this position in a corner of the building, 

 owing to the position and strength of the scales, and the power of 

 the limbs combined, I found it impossible to remove the animal 

 against its will, the points of the scales being inserted into every 

 little notch and hollow of the surrounding objects. The eyes are 

 very dark hazel, and very prominent. The colonial name for this 

 species of Manis is ' Attadillo,' and it is called by the Boobies, 

 the natives of the island, 'Gahlah.' The flesh is said to be 

 excedingly good eating, and is in great request among the 

 natives." 



Ma/nimalian Descent, p. 99. 



