MR. E. T. BENNETT ON THE CHINCHILLID®. 47 
least appearing so from the length and density of the fur, which during life was usually 
puffed out so as to present the tips rather than the sides of the hairs to the observer. 
The tail is moderately long and of a cylindrical form, unless when the hairs of the upper 
surface are erected. These hairs are long and rigid; they occupy the whole middle 
line of the tail above, and become gradually longer as they approach the tip, where they 
finally project in a bristly tuft three inches beyond the extremity of the vertebra. On 
the sides and under surface of the tail, the hairs are short and closely adpressed. 
The anterior limbs are much shorter than the posterior, and like them terminate in 
only four short toes, which are scarcely united at their base by an intervening mem- 
brane. On the fore feet the outer toe is the shortest, and the length increases gra- 
dually to the third, counting inwards ; the fourth is shorter than the third, and about 
equal in length to the second. The claws are small, placed on the upper part of the 
ungueal phalanz, and slightly sharpened; they are entirely concealed by long and 
somewhat bristly hairs, which also pass down between the toes. On the sole there is 
one large basal tubercle, internal to which, and ranging with it in front, is a much 
smaller one ; and anterior to these are placed three others, of nearly equal size, forming 
at the roots of the toes a curved line, the outer termination of which is somewhat pos- 
terior to the inner. On the hinder feet the outer toe is placed far backwards ; it is 
also somewhat shorter than the others, and its extremity consequently does not quite 
reach the base of the next adjoining toe. Of the remaining three the middle is the 
longest, and the two others are nearly equal. The claws are larger and more curved 
than those of the anterior feet, and are, like them, concealed by long hairs. This de- 
scription, however, does not apply to the inner toe, the claw of which is flattened, 
curved inwards, and exposed to view; the hairs immediately adjoining it consisting of 
a tuft of about eight rows of stiff, horny, curved bristles, approaching in their rigidity 
to the comb-like appendage which is found in almost the same situation in the Cteno- 
dactylus Massonii, Gray. The sole consists of a long and large basal tubercle, internal 
to which is a smaller elongated one, extending further forwards; of a tubercle at the 
base of the outer and shorter toe ; and of two tubercles ranging nearly with the tip of 
that toe, and placed at the base of the three remaining toes. 
The hairy coat is almost entirely composed of a beautifully soft and downy fur, of 
considerable length, but loosely attached to the skin, and readily falling off, at least in 
the specimen examined, unless carefully handled. This fur is of a dusky hue at the 
base, and to within a short distance of the tip, where for a space of from one to three 
lines in extent it is of a dirty white, more or less tinged with yellowish brown. Through 
it protrude a few long hairs, which are entirely black, and are more numerous pos- 
teriorly. The mixture of these colours gives the general effect of a mottled greyish ash- 
colour. On the sides of the neck and body, where the tips of the fur verge more into 
yellowish brown than on the back, and where they are also of greater length, as well as 
on the haunches and beneath, this tinge appears rather more predominant. There is 
