IJescrijition of the Chlamyphorus iruncatus. ' 243 



ed anterior to the pubis, and at a great distance from the sa- 

 crum, viz. before the inferior margin of the truncated portion 

 of the shell, near the middle of the caudal vertebrae, which, as 

 I have remarked above, are continued, within the truncated 

 plate, to near the top of the back. Thus far, like the mole, 

 our animal is eminently constructed for subterranean progres- 

 sion ; and here, in all probability, any strict analogy with that 

 animal ceases. 



In the examination of the skull, we are struck with its 

 many peculiarities, and great dissimilarity to that of the mole, 

 to which it is so nearly allied in its subterranean habits. 

 The skull of the latter animal is long and narrow, flattened 

 vertically ; the jaws are furnished with four large canine 

 teeth, separated from each other ; having between them six 

 incisors above and eight below, seven molars on each side of 

 the upper jaw, six on each side below, the crowns of which 

 are furnished with sharp points ; in all of which our animal 

 diners entirely. Like the mole, the extremity of the snout is 

 furnished with a sort of button, but of much firmer consistence ; 

 in the form of the snout, and posterior part of the skull, as 

 well as in the effaced appearance of the sutures, some slight 

 resemblance is visible. The palm of the hand is directed 

 rather inwards, in our new genus ; whereas in the mole 

 it is directed outwards, and the nails are destitute of the 

 cutting edge, so remarkable in the former. On comparing 

 the skull of our animal with that of the armadillo, (Dasypus 

 sexcinctus, Lin.) a few traits of similarity of typification are 

 visible : both these animals being equally destitute of incisor 

 and canine teeth in either jaw ; in both, a considerable space 

 intervenes between the anterior margin of the os intermaxillare 

 and the commencement of the teeth ; and in both the number 

 of molar teeth is the same, viz. eight on each side of both 

 jaws — thirty-two in all. Here all further analogy with the 

 Dasypus is at an end. 



