20 THE AMERICAN MUSEUM JOURNAL 
several occasions it has been known to enter the houses in search of 
roaches and other vermin, and has been captured in rat-traps. 
“Tt is strictly nocturnal, and spends the day in caves, holes in the 
coral limestone rocks and in hollow trees and logs. It is a slow, stupid 
creature. It is unable to run rapidly, but shambles along with the zig- 
zag, sidewise motions of a plantigrade. It is doubtless owing to this 
that it obtained the native name of ‘‘Orso”’ (bear). 
“Tts long snout and stout front feet, with their curved claws, and its 
thick, short neck prove impediments to forward progress. According 
to the natives it is incapable of running straight. They also claim that 
when pursued it frequently trips itself and tumbles heels over head. 
When hunted with dogs, it thrusts its head into the nearest hole or 
shelter and allows itself to be captured without resistance.” 
Five specimens of the Cuban form have found their way into the 
museums of Europe and America; while only one example of the 
Haitian Solenodon has been recorded, and this consists merely of a skin 
and skull which were sent to St. Petersburg in 1833 or before. The 
specimens recently secured by the American Museum are of this ex- 
tremely rare Haitian form and are a gift from President Jesup. ‘They 
were procured from the Kny-Scheerer Company, which had sent several 
expeditions to the island for the animal before that under Mr. Verrill 
was successful. The skeleton and soft parts of this Solenodon have been 
entirely unknown to science, but our recent acquisition will enable us 
to publish a full description of the bones. 
A STONE IDOL FROM TAHITI. 
ARLY visitors to the Society Islands, including Tahiti, state that 
the natives worshiped many different idols. ‘The descriptions 
indicate that the images were usually carved from wood and 
that stone idols were rare, even at the time of the discovery of the 
islands by white men. ‘The Museum therefore is fortunate in acquiring — 
the ancient stone idol from Tahiti which recently came as a gift from 
G. Archibald MecTarvish, Esq., and which is illustrated on the opposite 
page. A human head and arms have been roughly carved on the upper 
end of the stone, otherwise it has been but slightiy worked. ‘The image 
stands 18} inches high and weighs 93 pounds. 
