MAMMALIA. 



The SoKiNAH {Echimps, Martin) — 

 Is a Madagascar animal, which differs chiefly from the Urchins in its dentition, ha\ing but four upper 

 incisors, of which the mecUal are large, and placed before the others ; the superior canines (or what 

 may be designated as such) are tuberculated behind ; there are five molars in all to each side of the 

 upper jaw, longitudinally very short, but broad, a groove passing continuously along their crowns : two 

 small lower canines, three inferior false molars inclining forward, and four true molars obtusely 

 tuberculated. 

 E. Telfairi, Mart., is the only ascertained species ; and the form may be regarded as subordinate to Erinaceus.] 



The Tenrecs (Cenfenes, Illiger) — 

 Have the body covered with spines, like the Urchins [but more slender and bristle-like] ; they do not, 

 however, possess the faculty of rolUng themselves so completely into a ball : they have no tail ; their 

 muzzle is very pointed, and their teeth are very different. On each jaw are from four to six incisors, 

 and two large canines : next follow one or two small teeth, and four triangular molars with sharply 

 tuberculated crowns. They are natives of Madagascar, one species having been naturalized in the 

 Mauritius : are also nocturnal animals, which pass three months of the year in a state of lethargy, 

 although inhabiting the torrid zone. Brugiere even asserts that it is during the greatest heats that 

 they become torpid. 



[Three if not four species have been ascertained ; one of which, the Tendrac of Buffon (Erinaceus setosvs, Lin.), 

 with six incisors to each jaw, composes the Ericulus of Is. Geoffroy. 



The foregoing genera have little or no tail, whereas the following have very long tails.] 



The Gymnures {Gymnura, Vig. and Horsf. [Echinosorex, Blain.] ) — 

 " Appear to approach the Banxring in dentition, and the Shrews by the pointed muzzle and scaly tail. 

 There are five unguiculated toes to each foot, and tolerably stiff [almost spinous] bristles growing 

 among woolly hair, [resembling the close fur of the Shrews.] It can only be properly classed when its 

 anatomy is known." * [The general aspect is that of a Tenrec, with a long, naked, and scaly tail. There 

 are six incisors to each jaw, the medial above widely separated, large, and resembhng canines ; the 

 others lateral, and successively smaller: those below are separated into two pairs, the middle ones 

 being somewhat apart, and one smaller on each side. The canines are moderately large, and somewhat 

 curved, those of the upper jaw having two fangs : next follow, on each jaw, two pairs of small false 

 molars, succeeded by one larger above, and two below ; and the trae molars are four in number above 

 and three below, square, and tuberculated as in the Urcliin. 



Tlie only known species (G. Rafflesii) inhabits Sumatra, and is larger than the Urchin of Europe. 



The various preceding genera have small but not minute eyes. 



The Macroscelles {Macroscelides, Smith ; Erinomys, Blain. ; Rhynomys, Lichst.) — 

 Compose a well-marked genus, somewhat resembhng the Shrews, but with large eyes and more elong- 

 ated hind-feet : then- fur is long and soft, and of very fine texture. They have six (lateral) incisors to 

 each jaw, minute canines, and on either side five sharply tuberculated molars. Their habits arc 

 diurnal, and tliey retreat into bun-ows or beneath stones on apprehension of danger. 



Eight species are known, all from South Africa except one, which inhabits Algiers. They are called Elephant 

 Mice in the Cape Colony.] 



The Banxrings {Tiqjaia, Raff. ; Cladohates, Fr. Cuv. [_Glisorea; Diard. ; Hylogale, Tern.] ),— 

 A genus lately characterized, from the Indian Archipelago, the teeth of wliich bear some resemblance 

 to those of the Urchins, only that their middle superior incisors are proportionally shorter, and there 

 are four to the lower jaw, more elongated, [and projecting forwards as in the Lemurs] ; they also [do 

 not] want the tuberculous tooth behind. These animals are covered with hair [soft and gUstening, but 

 not fine in texture], and have a long bushy tail ; and, contrary to the habits of other Insectivora, 

 they ascend trees with the agility of a Squirrel, but their pointed muzzle renders them easily distin- 



■ * Fro.ii tlic Appendix to the author's edition. — Ed. 



