art 



di< 



xvi.] EDENTATA. 277 



ankylosed to the ends of the metacarpals, so that in adult 

 animals one of the usual bones of the digit appears to be 

 entirely wanting. The middle phalanges are long and com- 

 pressed. The ungual phalanges are also long, much com- 

 pressed, gently curved, and pointed. Bony laminae reflected 

 from their bases encase and support the roots of the claws. 



In the Two-toed species (genus Cholcepus, Fig. 100), the 

 magnum and trapezoid are distinct. The functional digits 

 are the second and third, and there are rudiments of the first 

 and fourth metacarpals, though not of the fifth. The proximal 

 phalanges (p l ) are extremely short, as in Bradypus, but do 

 not ankylose with the metacarpals. The ungual phalanges 

 e not so long as in Bradypus. 



In the Pangolins (Mam's) the scaphoid and lunar are united, 

 ut all the other carpal bones are distinct. There are five 

 igits with the complete number of phalanges, which, except 

 the pollex, are short and broad. The distal ends of the 

 gual phalanges have deep median clefts. This phalanx in 

 e third digit is immensely developed, and considerably so 

 the fourth. The first, second, and fifth digits are com- 

 ratively small. 



In the Cape Anteater (Orycteropus) the pollex is entirely 

 pressed, but all the other digits are well developed, and 

 erminate in subequal, compressed, ungual phalanges of 

 moderate size. The second and third digits are nearly 

 equal, the fourth and fifth shorter. A sesamoid bone is 

 developed on the dorsal side of the metacarpo-phalangeal 

 articulations. 



In the true Anteaters (Myrmecophaga) all the usual carpal 



nes are distinct. The unciform supports the fifth, fourth, 



d a considerable part of the third, metacarpals. The first 



digit is very slender, the second also slender, with com- 



ressed phalanges of nearly equal length. The third digit 



