140 TALPADJi. 



incisives very small, the canines long and very acute ;* 

 the false molars like the canines, but much smaller ; and 

 the true molars broad, and having many sharp conical 

 elevations. Eyes extremely small, black, situate in the 

 middle of a circular naked space of about a line and a 

 half or tw^o lines in diameter : eyelids open to a very 

 small extent. Ears without any external conch. Anterior 

 feet very robust, formed for digging ; the palms turned 

 outwards, the fingers short, the terminal phalanx being 

 as large as all the others ; wrist concealed in the fur. 

 Tail scaly, and furnished also with long stiff hairs. Fur 

 very soft, silky, and short, inserted perpendicularly to the 

 surface of the skin ; shining like velvet, showing different 

 tints according to the direction in which it is viewed ; 

 bright grey when seen in the direction in which the hairs 

 lie, and rich deep black in the opposite one : a slight 

 yellowish tinge appears on the lower jaw, and along the 

 middle of the belly. 



Dimensions : — 



Inch. Lines 

 Length of the head and body .... 5 2 



,, of the head. ..... 1 7 



,, of the tail 12 



Dentition 



I. I : C. 2 : F. M. ^ : M. « 



* Assuming that the prominent double-rooted tooth is a canine, as stated 

 in the first edition of this work. As a contrary opinion to this, although 

 entertained by so great an authority as the late Prof, de Blainville, has not 

 been supported by better evidence than the opinion advanced in this work in 

 1837, we shall adhere to the same formula of dentition as was employed at 

 that time. 



