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



SO large as in Caenolestes. The liver of Sminihopsis appears 

 to be rather similar to that of Antechinomys according to 

 Beddard, although I have a different interpretation of the 

 fissure, in which the gall-bladder is situated (ef. above). 

 From the liver of Caenolestes it differs chiefly with regard 

 to the situation of the caudate lobe and less development 

 of the Spigelian lobe. With regard to the latter Caenolestes 

 exhibits a condition, which resembles that of certain Insec- 

 tivora f. i. Erinaceus and Macroscelides (ef. Renvall 1. c. p. 

 22 & 23). It is also of interest to note that the Spigelian 

 lobe is very strongly developed in several members of the 

 genus Macropus according to the statements of various 

 authors. Two species of Petrogale examined by Beddard 

 and Renvall had also a large Spigeliana lobe. In DendroJagus 

 as vvell Beddard found the Spigelian lobe big and »distinctly 

 bilobed». As the alimentary canal of these animals in con- 

 sequence of their completely different diet is so very dif- 

 ferent from that of Caenolestes, this resemblance with regard 

 to the strong development of the Spigelian lobe of the liver 

 may be a fact of some importance. 



On the small immature female there is no marsupium 

 nor any marsupial folds to be seen. A pair of small grooves 

 one an either side of the inguinal region may represent 

 retracted nipples. 



When Thomas 1895 wrote his very valuable and inter- 

 esting treatise on Caenolestes, he pointed out the resemblance, 

 which its dentition presented with that of Dromicia. He did 

 not want, however, to refer Caenolestes to any existing family 

 of Diprotodonts, because there w^ere too many differences 

 for that, but he considered^ it to form »among existing 

 Marsupials a peculiar Family, and one which in America 

 represents the Diprotodonts of Australia, just as the Didel- 

 phyidae do the Polyprotodonts». He further drew the atten- 

 tion the striking resemblance between Caenolestes and the 

 fossil Marsupials described by Amegtimo as members of the 

 by him established family Epanorthidae. Thomas counted in 

 consequence of this Caenolestes as a surviving member of 

 this otherwise extinct family. By some authors this was 

 accepted by others contradicted, and Thomas himself has 

 quite recen tly (1920) declared that he is »prepared to admit 



' L. c. p. 875. 



