398 Zoological Society. 



of the maxillary, approaches to a circular form, and is somewhat 

 oblique in its direction, as in the Myrmecophaga jubata and in the 

 Monotremata. In the Myrmecobius an approach to this disposition 

 of the condyle is observable. The masseteric depression is in the 

 form of a longitudinal cleft, which is much longer than the cleft found 

 in certain species oiMacropodidce, and very much resembles that which 

 we observe in the lower jaw of some birds. The two inferior maxillary 

 are joined at the symphysis by a ligament only, but their junction ap- 

 pears to be more perfect than in the Edentata in general : these 

 bones are as remarkable for their compact structure as for their trans- 

 parency. 



Of the remaining portion but few parts are known, viz. the radius 

 and the inferior portion of the cubitus ; these are separated in their 

 whole length ; the tibia and the fibula, which are also separated as 

 far as their articulation with the tarsus ; the fibula is much com- 

 pressed at its upper extremity. 



The dental system of the Tarsipes is most anomalous : the lower 

 jaw presents in front a pair of cultriform teeth which have the same 

 horizontal direction as the jaw ; the basal portion of these teeth is 

 narrower than the other portion, and the root is very deeply inserted 

 into the jaw; the apical portion is unfortunately broken. These 

 teeth are applied one against the other by their internal surface. 

 Near the posterior third of the dental portion of the same jaw is a 

 small transparent gemmiform tooth, which has the appearance of a 

 little process recurved angularly outwards. 



On the anterior third of the left side of the upper jaw are three 

 small teeth ; the first, which appears to be in the incisive bones, and 

 which is in a line with the incisive openings, is in the form of a 

 minute simple tubercle ; the third, which is situated at the hinder 

 extremity of the anterior third of the dental portion of the jaw, is 

 also gemmiform, rather slender, longer than the first, and somewhat 

 inclined forwards. Between this and the foremost tooth is another 

 tooth, which is smaller than either, and situated nearer to the third 

 than the second tooth. All these teeth are transparent and have but 

 one root ; they are all which could be found in the specimen ex- 

 amined ; and it is only by inspecting several individuals that the 

 dental formula of this little animal could be correctly ascertained. 

 It is supposed by the authors, that in front of the foremost pair of 

 teeth of the upper jaw here described, another tooth exists, the root 

 of which only is visible ; if such should be the case, there would 

 then be three pairs of incisors of unequal size in the upper jaw, and 

 behind these a canine, which is the largest of those teeth. 



The Tarsipes, as has been shown, presents characters which could 

 scarcely be supposed to exist in a single species, and affords an ad- 

 ditional proof that the inspection of a single portion of any animal 

 is not sufficient for the determination of the peculiarities of other 

 parts. Its feet are those of an animal elevated in the scale of 

 organization, and nearly resemble those of the Tarsius, differing 

 only in the union of the second and third toes of the hind-feet. 

 The Tarsipes also having these two toes shorter than the others and 



