HEMICENTETES VARIEGATUS. 149 



space, which is about three times as long as that which 

 divides the canine from the third incisor. The second 

 premolar is separated from the first premolar by an inter- 

 val still greater than that which divides the first premolar 

 from the canine. It has a posterior talon , but no inter- 

 nal cusp. The third premolar is nearly contiguous to the 

 second ; it is much simpler than is the homologous tooth 

 in Centetes. All the molars are contiguous to each other 

 and to the third premolar. 



In the loiver jaw the six incisors are much closer toge- 

 ther than are those of the upper jaw. This is less due to 

 their inplanation than to the lateral expansion of their 

 crowns. They are less vertically extended than are the 

 upper ones , and each expands upwards from the root to 

 the cutting-edge. The canine is very much smaller, rela- 

 tively as well as absolutely, than in Centetes, I add "and 

 in Hemicentetes madagascariensis.'" — It is not received into 

 any fossa in the upper jaw. It is a much curved conical 

 tooth , with a considerable posterior cusp at its base. The 

 first premolar, in size and shape, is quite like the canine 

 in front. It is separated from the latter by a considerable 

 interval." 



I add to the above description: the second loioer pre- 

 molar is separated from the first and third by an inter- 

 val as great as that which divides the first premolar 

 from the canine. The third premolar is placed at a short 

 distance from the molars , which are closely crowded. The 

 premolars do not exceed the molars in height. 



Generally the dentition of this species is weaker and 

 much less developed in all proportions than it is in Hemi- 

 centetes madagascariensis. In comparing the skulls of a 

 specimen of Hemicentetes madagascariensis — measuring 

 10.5 c. m. — with that of a specimen of Hemicentetes va- 

 riegatus — measuring about 17 cm. — one loould believe 

 the latter to he a young specimen of the former species. 



We possess of the above described species: one stuffed 

 specimen , four preserved in alcohol — the smallest mea- 



Notes from the Ijeyden IMtiseum, 



