MARSUPIALIA. 



28] 



casta not is, belonging to the family Perametidce, has a remark- 

 ably modified manus (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 



FlG. 103 —Bones of manus of Bandicoot 

 [Perameles), X ij. 



Fig. 104. — Bones of manus of Chorropns 

 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, instead of the 

 third and fourth. This is proved by comparing it with 

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

 The principal changes from the typical mammalian manus 



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