1 2 Mam . Classifica tion . 



enamel) is synonymous with Owen's Bruta, or Huxley's 

 Edentata, and 



includes Three Families. 

 1. The Edentula (synonymous with the Myrmecophagidse), 

 are all devoid of teeth, and have a highly protrusible tongue 

 almost entirely composed of annular muscles. 2. The Basy- 

 podidm, which have numerous simple unenamelled teeth, and 

 the body covered with bony plates, arranged in the middle 

 in transverse bands (distinguishing them from the Manis, or 

 Scaly Ant eater). 3. The Bradypodidce, which also have teeth, 

 but they are devoid of true enamel, and are never replaced 

 by a second series * : the members of this family are almost 

 unique in having the fore legs much longer than their hind 

 ones. 



The two next Orders compose the Section of 



IMPLACENTAL MAMMALIA. 

 XIV. The species comprised in the Order MAESFPIALI A 

 have the so-called " Marsupial" bones in common with those 

 composing the following Order, viz. the Monotremata, but are 

 themselves distinguished by a peculiar pouch or duplicature 

 of the abdominal integument, within which in the female are 

 inclosed the teats, and which serves for the protection of the 

 immature young, termed the "marsupium" (whence they 

 have been termed Didelphia) ; and by the angle of the lower 

 jaw more or less inflected. They are 



the E. Ordmaria|(e.5'. Dasjrpus) ; and the E. Monotremata {e.g. Echidna). All 

 modern Zoologists are agreed that the Monotremata form a distinct Order ; con- 

 sequently the term Edentata, as connoting less than it did in the well-known 

 classification of Cuvier, should he aholished. Again, the term Bruta was used 

 by Linnaeus to include the Proboscidean Elephant and the Zoophagous Trichaj- 

 cidse, and is therefore quite inapplicable here. The term here used is derived 

 from the peculiarity of the teeth of those genera herein included that possess 

 them, viz.^ that they are devoid of enamel. 

 * Monophyodont. 



