THE OCTODONT TRIBE THE GUNDITHE DEGU 1327 



THE OCTODONT TRIBE 

 Family OCTODONTID^E 



As there is no collective English name for the various members of this exten- 

 sive family, we are compelled to adopt a modification of its L,atin title. These 

 Rodents are more or less rat-like animals, characterized by having complete collar 

 bones, and their molars marked by enamel folds on both sides. In the skull the 

 jugal portion of the cheek arch nearly always has an angle on its lower edge. The 

 feet, which are armed with long curved claws, generally have five toes. The teats 

 are placed high up on the sides of the body; the ears are short and but thinly haired; 

 while the tail, which varies greatly in length, may be either clothed with short hair 

 or scaly. With the exception of a few African forms, and others from the West 

 Indies, this family is characteristic of South America. 



THE GUNDI 

 Genus Ctenodactylus 



One of the most remarkable of the African representatives of the family is the 

 gundi {Ctenodactylus gundi) from the regions bordering the Sahara, characterized by 

 the two inner toes of the hind-feet being furnished with a horny comb and bristles, 

 which are employed in cleaning the fur. In size this animal may be compared to a 

 water vole, with relatively-long hind-legs. It has no premolar teeth, the feet have 

 only four toes each, the ears are small and the tail is reduced to a mere stump. 

 The gundi inhabits rocky districts, and is diurnal; its mode of life being very similar 

 to that of the jerboas. 



In Somaliland the gundi is replaced by a closely-allied species 

 known as Pectinator spekei, distinguished by its moderately-long and 

 bushy tail, and the presence of a small premolar tooth in each jaw. 



THE DEGU 

 Genus Octodon 



The degu (O. degus), which is the typical representative of the family, is a 

 species inhabiting Chili and Peru, and distinguished from the last group by the feet 

 having five toes, without any comb-like appendages, in the hind-limb. The molar 

 teeth are alike in both jaws, and are simply indented on both sides by the folds of 

 enamel. In general form the degu is like a rat, and it is slightly inferior in size to 

 the water vole; the length of the head and body varying from seven and one-half 

 to eight inches, while the tail, exclusive of the tuft at the end, measures about four 

 inches. The fur is remarkable for its softness, the ears are of moderate size, and the 

 nearly naked tail terminates in a distinct tuft. The general color of the fur on the 



