THE SYRIAN HYRAX. 191 



have the greatest number after the Hyrax, belong 

 precisely to this order of Pachydermes with 

 which we wish to range them. The Elephant and 

 Tapir have each twenty, the Rhinoceros nineteen, 

 and the Solipedes, which approach nearest the 

 Pachydermes, eighteen ; while the most of the 

 Rodentia, on the contrary, have but twelve or 

 thirteen, 'the Beaver alone having fifteen.* 



In the structure of the head it resembles the 

 Pachydermes. The maxillary bones are very 

 distinct from those of the Rodentia by the small 

 size of the suborbital hole, which in the latter is 

 enormously large. There are four lower incisive 

 teeth, while the two above are not bent and trun- 

 cated, but are triangular and pointed, and re- 

 semble those of the Hippopotamus. The other 

 teeth also differ from those of the Rodentia ; the 

 condyle of the jaw is also different, permitting 

 the motion from right to left. This will be illus- 

 trated on the accompanying plate of Skull and 

 dentition of Cape Hyrax. Plate XV. 



The number of toes in the Hyrax is four before 

 and three behind, as in the Tapir. They are 

 united by the skin to the very nail, as in the 

 Elephant and Rhinoceros, and represent those of 

 the former animal, both in their figure and in the 

 manner in which they are placed upon the foot, 



* Ossemens Fossilles, 



