FAUNA AMERICANA. 117 



Dental formula.— Teeth 48 or 50. < 



CHARACTERS. 



f"Incisor 10. 

 superior 24 or 26. < Canine 2. 



C Molar 12 or 14. 

 C Incisor 8. 

 Jnferior 24. < Canine 2. 



C Molar 14. 



Superior incisors small ; the two intermediate 

 rather longer and separate from the others; the 

 inferior very small, nearly equal, slightly com- 

 pressed and obtuse ; canines strong, compressed 

 and rather disposed outwards ; the inferior small- 

 est. Superior molars, the first three false, trian- 

 gular, compressed, the anterior being much small- 

 er and separated from the others ; crowns of the 

 posterior furnished with indentations and sharp 

 points ; the first three inferior molars false ; the 

 crowns of the remainder furnished with points. 



Head long, conical ; snout very pointed ; mouth 

 wide ; eyes placed very high, oblique ; ears large, 

 thin, nearly naked, borders rounded ; tongue cili- 

 ated on its borders and prickled over with small 

 points ; whiskers long and abundant ; five sepa- 

 rate toes to all the feet; thumb of the hind feet, 

 (which are plantigrade,) strong, rather long, op- 

 posable and nailless ; nails of the other toes 

 crooked. 



Tail rather long, round, scaly, and destitute of 

 hair for the greatest part of its extent ; hair which 

 covers the body, rather compact, often of two 

 kinds ; stomach simple and small ; coecum mode- 

 rate. 



