Dr. Godman’s Note on the Genus Condylura of Illiger. 275 
over the centre and behind the separation of the third and 
fourth toes. 
A very analogous arrangement may be observed in the sole 
of the feet of the Szgmodon hispidum of Ord. 
By comparing the Condylura with the Scalops, we are led 
to several interesting observations. We have seen that the 
Condylura has a remarkable and large external ear, though it 
is destitute of a projecting auricle. ‘The Scalops has neither 
auricle nor meatus externus opening on the side of the head, 
as the skin of the head extends over the cartilaginous tube, 
which is small, and a simple funnel. The situation of the ear 
is to be discovered externally only by a very small spot, not 
larger than the circumference of an ordinary pin head. 
The hand of the Scalops is peculiar for its great breadth 
and strength: the extraordinary breadth is produced by an 
additional metacarpal bone, inferior or external to the thumb, 
articulated with the carpus, and having a tendon for moving 
it from the common flexor of the fingers*. On the superior 
or ulnar edge of the hand there is a cartilaginous additament, 
connected: with the little finger by atendon. The Condylura 
has the additional metacarpal bone, but rather like a rudi- 
ment, and has not the cartilaginous additament at the superior 
edge of the hand; hence the very great difference in breadth 
in the hands of the two genera. ‘The Scalops has a slight 
process or elongation, not at the carpal extremity of the palm, 
but on the inferior or outer edge of the supplementary bone. 
If we compare the Scalops and Condylura with the de- 
scription of Talpa europea, the resemblance will be found 
greater between the Condylura and Talpa in regard to the 
ears and eyes. If we compare the hands and nose, we shall 
find that the Scalops approximates more closely to the Euro- 
pean genus; nevertheless, the affinity of neither is so strong 
as to endanger their being confounded with Talpa, if we were 
to judge from external characters alone+. 
Of the genus Condylura I believe after a patient examina- 
tion, and obtaining specimens from various localities, that 
most probably there is no other species in this country than 
* This structure resembles that of the Talpa europea; but as that species 
does not exist in this country, I have not been able to obtain a recent spe- 
cimen for comparison. 
+ 1am happy to state from actual and repeated observation, that it is 
the Scalops which in this country forms the “mole-hills,’ similar to those 
thrown up by the Talpa europea. As far as I can ascertain, no such cir- 
cumstance has yet been remarked relative to the burrowing of the Condy- 
lura. In a forthcoming work on American Natural History, a full account 
will be given of my observations on the habits of the Scalops and Condy- 
lura, 
2M2 the 
