SOLENODONTID^E 635 



tibia and fibula typically united distally. No caecum. Confined to 

 the Ethiopian region. 



Potamogale. 1 Dentition : i f , c ^, p -f , in | ; total 40. Repre- 

 sented only by P. velox of Western Equatorial Africa. This animal 

 (Fig. 292) inhabits the banks of streams, and is thoroughly adapted 

 for an aquatic life ; it is nearly 2 feet in length, the tail measuring 

 about half. The long cylindrical body is continued uninterruptedly 

 into the thick laterally compressed tail, the legs are very short, and 

 the toes are not webbed, progression through the water evidently 

 depending wholly on the action of the powerful tail, while the 

 limbs are folded inwards and backwards. The muzzle is broad and 



FIG. 292. Potamogale velox. x J. (From Allman, Trails. Zool. Soc. vol. vi. pi. i.) 



flat, and the nostrils are protected by valves. The fur is dark 

 brown above, the extremities of the hairs on the back being of a 

 metallic violet hue by reflected light, beneath whitish. This curious 

 animal was discovered by M. du Chaillu. 



Geogale. 2 Dentition : i f, c ^, p f , m | ; total 34. This genus 

 is known solely by G. aurita, a small Mouse-like species from Mada- 

 gascar, agreeing closely with Potamogale in the general form of the 

 skull and teeth. The tibia and fibula are distinct, but it is not 

 known whether a clavicle exists ; and the material at present avail- 

 able is insufficient to definitely fix the natural position of the genus. 



Family SOLENODONTID^E. 



Skull with a small brain-case constricted between the orbits, no 



1 Du Chaillu, Proc. Boston Soc. Hist. Nat. vol. vii. p. 363 (1860). 

 2 Milne-Edwards, Ann. Sci. Nat. vol. xv. p. 5 (1872). 



