ERIXACEID.K 



619 



hind limbs relatively shorter, and proboscis longer than in the type 

 genus ; four digits in each foot. Four closely allied species have 

 been described from East Africa. The head and body of the type 



Fig. 234. — Macroscclides tctradadylus. xh (From Peters, Rcise nach Mossambique.) 



species measures about 8 inches in length - and the long tail is 

 covered with a ringed skin, sparsely haired. Its habits are fossorial. 



Family Erinaceid^e. 



Skull with a small brain-case ; no postorbital jwocess • slender 

 and occasionally imperfect zygomatic arch, and an annular tympanic, 

 •which does not form a bulla. Upper molars with four principal 

 cusps and a small central median cusp. Acromion of scapula bifid ; 

 pubic symphysis short ; radius and ulna free, but tibia and fibula 

 united proximally. No caecum ; penis carried forward and sus- 

 pended from the wall of the abdomen. Habits terrestrial. Found 

 in the Palaearctic, Ethiopian, and Oriental regions. 



Subfamily Gymnurinse. — Palate completely ossified; pelvis 

 very narrow ; fur without spines. 



Gymnura. 1 — Dentition : i 



:;■> 



1> 



P 



4> 



■m 



■■■■ 



:i > 



total 44. This 



genus, if Hylomys is rightly included, is represented by the two 

 1 Horsfield and Vigors, Zool. Journ. vol. iii. p. 246 (1828). 



