1910.] Gymnura, Neurogymnurus; the Soricoidca. 263 



(1) Smaller size. (2) Longer muzzle, which makes some approach 

 to that of Idops in form. (3) I|, p| (reduced to i|, p| in Erinaccus). 



(4) ]\lolars retaining clearer traces of trituberculy than in Erinaccus. 



(5) Tail i)resent (reduced in Erinaceus). (G) Partly climbing habits and 

 arboreal ada])tations. Under side of tail rough (Blanford), stiff spines on 

 feet to aid in climbing (Dobson, 1883). (7) Humerus retaining entepicon- 

 dylar foramen. (8) Scaphoid and lunar separate in young, united in old 

 individuals (Dobson, 1883, p. 21). (9) Pollex constant (tending to reduc- 

 tion in some species of Erinaceus). (10) Third trochanter in femur re- 

 tained in reduced condition. (Still more reduced in Erinaccu.s). 



The genetic relations of the Erinacoidea are discussed below (p. 266). 



"Cai/luxotheriuvi," {Neurogi/rmiurus), an Erinaceid from the Upper 

 Eocene or Oligocene (Phosphorites) in France has palatal vacuities and 

 very large stout tympanic wings of the basisphenoid (c/. p. 261). 



The Dimylidpe are noticed below (p. 267). 



The Soricoidea. 



THE SORICIDM AND TALPID^. 



The Talpidse and Soricid^ie have very probably diverged from a common 

 stem, the typical Talpidf>? having accjuired high fossorial specializations in 

 the limbs while the Soricida? have developed a very peculiar and highly 

 modified antemolar dentition. The Talpidse alone have preserved the 

 malar bones, although in a greatly reduced condition, while the Soricidse 

 have retained very })rimitive limbs, and frequently a cloaca (Dobson). 

 The tympanic in the Soricidne remains horizontal and ring shaped and the 

 arrangement of the three branches of the entocarotid approximates that in 

 Erinaceus (van Kampen, 1905, pp. 434-435). 



The connection of the Talpidtie and Soricidse is indicated by the survival 

 in the ancient fauna of Thibet and China of certain primitive Tal{)ids, not- 

 ably Uropsilus soricipes (figured by Milne Edwards, 1868-74, p\. xl, xla; 

 described also by Dobson, 1883, p. 145). This interesting genus in the 

 general characters of the skull and body resembles Urotrichus of the Myo- 

 galinse (vide infra) but in its fore feet and tail it resembles the Shrews (Dob- 

 son). The humerus, while foreshadowing that of the Moles in its strong 

 muscular attachments, is still of the normal Soricoid type (Dobson, p. 

 164). The manus, pes and shrew-like tail are scaly (Dobson). 



The semiaquatic Desmans (Myogale moschata and M. pyrenaica) together 

 with the fossorial genera Urotrichus and Neurotrichus form a very primitive 

 subfamily of Talpoids, of which Myogale parallels the Zalambdodont genus 



