of the Chlamj/phorus iruncalus, 553 



animals belonging to the same order. To the Echidna and 

 Ornithorhynchus it is also similar in the form of the first bone of 

 ihe sternum ; and in the bony articulations as well as the dilated 

 connecting plates of the true and false ribs. It becomes inter- 

 esting to be able to establish even small points of similarity be- 

 tween the most extraordinary quadrupeds of New Holland and 

 those of South America ; that Continent producing in the various 

 species of Didelphis other resemblances to the Marsupiata, In 

 the form of the lower jaw, and in other points equally obvious, 

 the Chlamyphorus exhibits characters to be found in some species 

 of Ruminantia and Pachydermata. 



In conclusion I may remark, that in the composition and ar- 

 rangement of its external covering, and in its very singular 

 truncated extremity, the Chlamyphorus is peculiar and unique ; 

 ^nd if a conjecture might be hazarded, in the absence of any 

 positive knowledge of the habits of the animal, it is probable, 

 that it occasionally assumes an upright position, for which this 

 flattened posterior seems admirably adapted. It is also unique 

 in the form and various appendages of the head, and most par- 

 ticularly in possessing an open pelvis, no instance of which, as 

 far as I am acquainted, has ever as yet occurred in any species 

 of Mammalia. 



No further account of the habits of this very singular and in- 

 teresting quadruped was received by the Zoological Society 

 with the specimen. From Dr. Harlan we learn that the animal 

 is a native of Mendoza, and in the Indian language is called 

 " Pichiciago." Mendoza is situated in the interior of Chili, on 

 the East of the Cordilleras, in the province of Cuyo. Its habits 

 are said to resemble those of the Mole, living for the most part 

 under ground. Many other interesting particulars will be 

 found in Dr. Harlan's account, in the second volume of this 

 Journal, which it would therefore be superfluous to repeat here. 

 I am, my dear Sir, 



Yours very truly, 



William Yarrell. 

 Ryder Street^ March 1828. 



