299 LLOYD’S NATURAL HISTORY. 
THE SELVAS, -- GENUS’ CCGENOLESTES. 
Hyracodon, Tomes, Proc. Zool. Soc., 1863, p. 50, ~ec Leidy, 
1856. 
Cenolestes, Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 6, vol. xvi, 
p: 367 (1895) ; Proc. Zool. Soc., 1895, p. 379 
Although a member of the genus has been known since 1863, 
its true zoological position was not recognised till the discovery 
of a second form in 1895. 
The generic characters, as given by Mr. Thomas, are as 
follows: General appearance not unlike that of a rat or small 
opossum. External characters very much as in the Dasyurid 
genus Phascologale. Head elongate; nose naked, both in front 
and on the top of the muzzle ; ears short, squarish, their inner 
surface provided with several tragus-like projections. Fore-feet 
with five toes, of which the outer one, as well as the thumb, 
has a distinct nail, while each of the three middle digits bears 
a curved claw. The third digit is the longest, the second and 
third being sub-equal and slightly shorter ; the fifth reaching to 
the end of the first joint of the fourth, and the first to the 
middle of the corresponding segment of the second. Soles 
(palms) of fore-feet naked, with one elongated wrist-pad, three 
at the base of the toes, and one on the thumb.  Hiuind-feet of 
normal shape, neither syndactylous nor—as in the opossums— 
modified into a hand. Great toe (hallux) short, clawless, and 
not thoroughly opposable ; other toes clawed and sub-equal, the 
fourth being slightly the longest ; soles naked, with six pads of 
somewhat elongated form, and not transversely striated. Tail 
long, slender, rat-like, and so thinly haired as to appear naked, 
the terminal inch of the lower surface being compietely so ; 
probably prehensile. A small rudimental pouch in the female. 
As regards the skull, the founder of the genus observes that 
in general proportions this is “something like that of a 
Perameles, although thinner and more delicately built, with a 
