XVI.] 



MARSUPIALIA. 



castanotis, belonging to the family Feramelidce, has a remark- 

 ably modified maniis (see Fig. 104) in which only two 

 digits are functionally developed; and as the metacarpals 

 are very long, and closely pressed together (though not 

 ankylosed), and the phalanges are short, and the nails rather 

 hoof-like, the whole manus has much general resemblance 



Fig. 103 — Bones of manus of Bandicoot 

 ' Perameles), X i^. 



Fig. 104. — Bones of manus oi Chwropus 

 castanotis, X 2. 



to that of the Artiodactyle Ungulates. It presents, how- 

 ever, the essential difference that the functional digits are 

 the second and third of the normal series, nistead of the 

 third and fourth. This is proved by comparing it with 

 the less modified manus of a true Perameles (Fig. 103). 

 The principal clianges from the typical mammalian manus 

 observed in Perameles are the great reduction of the 



