194 



EDENTATA 



is also completely modified into a climbing organ. The hallux is 

 rudimentary, consisting of a metatarsal and one phalanx, concealed 

 beneath the skin ; but the other four toes are subequal and much 

 curved, with long pointed compressed claws. The tuber calcanei is 

 directed towards the plantar surface, and parallel with it and 

 extending to about double its length is a greatly elongated sesamoid 

 ossicle. These together support a prominent calcarine cushion, to 

 which the nails are opposed in climbing. Stomach pyriform, with 

 muscular walls, but no distinct gizzard -like portion, as in the 



foregoing genera. Commence- 

 ment of the colon provided with 

 two small caeca (Fig. 66), resem- 

 bling those of many birds, narrow 

 at the base, and rather dilated 

 at their terminal blind ends, and 

 communicating with the general 

 cavity by very minute apertures. 

 Tail longer than the body, taper- 

 ing, bare on the under surface, 

 and very prehensile. Fur soft 

 and silky. 



This genus has also but one 

 species certainly known, the Little or Two-toed Anteater ((7. di- 

 dactylus), an animal not larger than a Rat, of a general yellowish- 

 colour, and exclusively arboreal in its habits. It is a native of 

 the hottest parts of South and Central America. 



Fio. 66. C#ca of the Two-toed Anteater 

 (Cycloturus didaetylus). i, Ileum ; c, colon. 



Family DASYPODID^E. 



The greater part of the skin strongly ossified. On the back 

 and sides the union of numerous quadrate or polygonal scutes forms 

 a hard shield, usually consisting of an anterior (scapular) and 

 posterior (pelvic) solid portion (which overhang on each side the 

 parts of the body they respectively cover, forming chambers into 

 which the limbs are withdrawn), and a variable number of rings 

 between, connected by soft flexible skin so as to allow of curvature 

 of the body. The top of the head has also a similar shield 

 (cephalic), and the tail is usually encased in bony rings or plates. 

 The outer or exposed surfaces of the limbs are protected by irregular 

 bony scutes, not united at their margins ; but the skin of the inner 

 surface of the limbs and under side of the body is soft, and more or 

 less clothed with hair. Hairs also in many species project through 

 apertures between the bony scutes of the back. The ossified 

 dermal scutes are everywhere covered by a layer of horny epi- 

 dermis. Teeth numerous, simple, of persistent growth, and usually 



