MYRMECOBIUS FASCIATUS. 145 



which is indistinct. The true molars are very small 

 and longer than broad ; those of the upper jaw pre- 

 sent numerous small black tubercles ; in the lower 

 jaw the outer edge of the molars is produced and 

 divided by notches, so as to leave three or four bristly 

 points in each ; on the outer side of each molar, 

 excepting the foremost, are several small blunt tuber- 

 cles, which must be nearly on a level with the gum in 

 the living animal ; between all the teeth both of the 

 upper and lower jaws, excepting the four posterior 

 molars of the lower jaw, there is a space which is 

 sometimes equal to the width of the teeth, but gene- 

 rally less. The ram us of the lower jaw is twisted in 

 such a manner that the outer surfaces of the true 

 molars come in contact with the masticating surface 

 of those of the upper jaw.* The fore-feet are fur- 

 nished with five toes, which are armed with strong, 

 curved, and slightly compressed claws ; on the hind- 

 feet there are but four toes, their claws scarcely 

 differ from those of the fore-feet. The tail is bushy 

 and not prehensile. 



BANDED MYRMECOBIUS. 



Myrmecobius fasciatus. 

 PLATE XI. 



Myrmecobius fasciatus, Waterh. Proc. Zool. Soc. for July 

 1836, p. 69 see also p. 131. 



Transactions of the Geol. Soc. Vol. II., 



part 2, p. 149, PI. 27. 



Size of a squirrel ; head very long and pointed ; 



* In the skull of Myrmecobius there is a large notch in the 

 upper boundary of the orbit, which, by some accident, is not 

 K 



