154 Dr. Harlan on a new Genus of Edentata. 



apparently after Ants and other terrestrial insects. The females 

 both of this, and the last species, when known, will probably be 

 found to differ remarkably in colour from the other sex. 



N. B. Another species, which may prove to be undescribed, is 

 in the cabinet of Mr. Vigors. 



Art. XVIII. Description of a new Genus of 3Ianimifer- 

 ous Quadrupeds of the Order Edentata. By Richard 

 Harlan, M. D. Professor of Comparative Anatomy 

 to the Philadelphia Museum^ Member of the Am. Phil. 

 Soc.j S)'c. SfC* 



On the 18th of December, 1824, Mr. William Colesberry of 

 Philadelphia, presented to the Philadelphia Museum of Natural 

 History the interesting animal which forms the subject of the 

 following pages. Mr. C. gave the following statement to Mr. 

 Franklin Peale : — *' The animal is a native of Mendoza, and in 

 the Indian language is named ' PkhiciagoJ' Mendoza is situated 

 in the interior of Chili, on the east of the Cordilleras, in lat. 33° 

 25' and long. 69* 47, in the province of Cuyo. It had been ob- 

 tained on the spot, in a living state, but it continued to live in 

 confinement only a few days. Its habits resemble those of the 

 mole, living for the most part under ground ; and is reputed to 

 carry its young beneath the scaly cloak with which it is covered ; 

 and that the tail possessed little or no motion." 



It is to be regretted that the viscera and the greater portion of 

 the skeleton of this animal had been removed before it came into my 

 possession ; and the gentleman who presented the same, having 

 left the city, precludes tlie possibility of receiving, at present, 

 any further particulars relative to its habits ; but the observations • 

 which I have been able to make from the examination of its ex- 

 terior, together with the skull and teeth, all of Avhich are in 

 nearly a perfect state of preservation, establish the characters 

 of the animal on the most solid foundation. 



» From the Annals of the New York Lyceum of Natural Hiblory, Vol. I. 



