150 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ZOOLOGY, VOL. XIV. 



GENERAL SUMMARY. 



The most significant results of the foregoing study may be sum- 

 marized as follows: 



1 . C&nolestes is a surviving member of an ancient group and retains 

 many primitive characters. 



Among these may be mentioned: (a) small size and insec- 

 tivorous habits; (b) in the brain the very large olfactory bulbs 

 and tubercles and the small simple cerebellum; (c) in the myology 

 the agreement in certain respects with edentates and insec- 

 tivores, as in the divided trapezius, the dorso-cuticularis , the 

 reduced sartorius, the sesarnoid origin of the supinator and the 

 absence of the pronator quadratus; (d) in the reproductive system 

 the possession of a median vagina of similar primitive type to 

 that of Perameles; (e) in the alimentary canal the short colon; 

 (f ) in the skeleton the movable cervical rib and the short pubic 

 symphysis; (g) in the skull the smooth braincase, large olfactory 

 fossa, proximally expanded nasals, broad frontals, small paroc- 

 cipital processes, annular tympanic, large persistent mastoid 

 foramen, and columelliform stapes; (h) in the dentition the 

 large upper incisor formula only exceeded by certain peramelids 

 and didelphids, the large number of lower antemolar teeth, the 

 premolariform canines. 



2. It has numerous resemblances to modern peramelids. 



These are not of equal importance, but collectively seem 

 significant of affinity. Among them are the following: (a) in 

 external characters first and fifth toes of forefeet reduced and 

 having nails instead of claws, ear with double antihelical folds, 

 limbs cursorial, tail not prehensile; (b) in the brain general 

 primitive structure; (c) in the myology 1 general cursorial 

 adaptations; (d) in the skeleton movable cervical rib, imper- 

 f orate atlas, short spine of first thoracic vertebra, ossified patella; 

 (e) in the skull elongate rostrum, short palatine processes of 

 premaxillae, concave basioccipital, nearly perpendicular maxillo- 

 premaxillary suture, long fronto-maxillary union, absence of 

 postorbital processes, lateral exposure of mastoid, small paroc- 

 cipital and mastoid processes, lacrymal canal with single opening, 

 postzygomatic foramen lacking, stapes columelliform; (f) in the 

 dentition large incisor formula, quadrate molars with hypocone, 

 proclivous lower incisors, compressed lateral upper incisors, 



1 Adequate comparison of the myology of C&nolestes and Perameles has not been 

 made. 



