36 MAMMALIAN GALLERY. 



their soles are covered with fleshy pads, which enable them to adhere 

 to, and climb with safety up, smooth surfaces of rocks or trees. 

 These animals are entirely vegetable feeders, some dwelling among 

 rocks, others climbing up trees. Among the Rock-Coneys may be 



Fi>. 14. 



The Coney (Hyrax syriacus). 



specially mentioned the Hyrax syriacus, which is the " Coney " 

 of our English translation of the Bible. 



Suborder PERISSODACTYLA. 



The Perissodactyla, or Odd-toed Ungulates, are represented at 

 the present day by three well-known animals, the Rhinoceros, 

 Tapir, and Horse, which have in common many important cha- 

 racters, chiefly in their teeth and limb-bones, which will be better 

 explained in connection with the skeletons exhibited in the Osteo- 

 logical Gallery. Whilst in Miocene and Pliocene times this Sub- 

 order was represented by a very large number of different forms, 

 it is now so deficient in species and individuals that it must be 

 supposed to be in a mure or less decadent condition. 



Of the Rhinoceroses there are five or six known species, all 

 large animals, with such thick and unyielding skins as to neces- 

 sitate in some the formation of deep folds to enable them to move 

 their limbs with any facility, and with three toes on each foot. The 

 horns, which are placed on their muzzles, differ essentially in structure 

 from those of other Mammals, being composed of modified and 

 agglutinated hairs. 



This group is now restricted to the African and Indian regions^ 



