TIPAIIDA-: 



617 



existing families of the second section are known in a fossil condition, 

 although it is suggested that the extinct Leptictidce includes allied 

 types. 



Family Tupaiid.-e. 



Skull with comparatively large brain-case, orbit surrounded by 

 bone, well-developed zygomatic arch, perforated jugal, and a tympanic 



Pig. 2S3.— The Peiitailed Tree-Shrew (Ptilocercus lowi). From Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. 1S48. 



J natural size. 



bulla. Upper molar broad, with cusps arranged in a W. Pubic 

 symphysis long ; radius and ulna, and tibia and fibula separate ; 

 metatarsus only slightly longer than tarsus. Usually a short caecum. 

 Habits arboreal and diurnal. Confined to the Oriental region. 



Tupaia. 1 — Dentition : i f , c \, p %, m %; total 38. Feet naked 

 beneath, the sole furnished with projecting pads ; claws moderate, 

 curved, and sharp ; head pointed ; ears rounded ; tail bushy, 

 distichous, with short hair below. The Tree-Shrews, of which there 

 are some nine species, are found in India, Burma, the Malay 

 Peninsula, the Nicobars, Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. The species 

 closely resemble one another, differing chiefly in size and in the 

 1 Kaftles, Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. xiii. p. 256 (1822). 



