76 ARKIV FÖR ZOOLOGI. BAND 14. N:0 4. 



the genera Ilarmosa, Metacliiras, Peramijs and Didelphis (well 

 developed), Phascologale etc. but also among Diprotodonts as 

 Pseudochirus, Dactylopsila, Dromicia, Tarsipes etc. It is thus 

 of a common occurrence, and in Eudromicia f. i. the condi- 

 tion is very similar to Gaenolestes with three bristles in a small 

 svvelling.^ 



To the description of the feet of C. ohscurus by Thomas 

 the following modifications and additions based on the alco- 

 holic specimen (Pl. fig. 4) may be made. As already stated 

 by the author quoted the structure of the hind feet is nor- 

 mal, not syndactylous. The hallux is not opposable. It is 

 short and weak, clawless and ends in a small pad. It reaches 

 about to the middle of the pad at the base of the second 

 toe. Third and fourth toes are nearly equal, or the third 

 very slightly longer. The second is a little shorter than the 

 fourth, and the fifth still a little shorter, but the difference 

 in length is not great (Pl. fig. 4). The claw of the fifth toe 

 is also a little thinner than the other ones. The soles are 

 naked, but covered with small warts of varying size (too 

 large to be termed granules); these are a little larger on 

 the heel and along the outer margin. Under the toes they 

 are arranged in pairs. There are six large pads resp. at the 

 base of the second toe, between the bases of third and fourth 

 toes, at the base of the fifth, at the base of the hallux, at 

 the inner börder of the sole behind the hallux, and at the 

 outer börder of the sole a little further in front than the 

 last. But in addition to these there is a small accessory 

 pad outside the large one of the fifth toe, and another mesi- 

 ally of the pad of the second finger (that is at the mesial 

 margin of the sole). These accessory pads may correspond to 

 enlarged warts. The pad at the base of the hallux is com- 

 paratively large, larger than the one behind it. This propor- 

 tion is thus different from the one found in Phascologale 

 wallacei with which Gaenolestes has been compared in this 

 respect. Unlike the condition found in Phascologale the 

 plantar pads of Gaenolestes do not show any pronounced 

 transverse striation, although under a good magnifying lens 

 very faint traces of transverse striae may be detected. The 

 toes are sparsely covered with hair above, so that their 



^ It may be questionable whether the extra carpal »pad» of Dacty- 

 lopsila is homologous with this swelling or not? 



