50 



nished ; and in the number and form of its teeth, as far as they are 

 preserved in the specimen exhibited, which, however, is that of a 

 young individual. The points of the teeth are consequently in it 

 unworn and acute : while in the specimen of Cyn. Steedmanni de- 

 scribed by Mr. Ogilby, wliich was evidently an aged individual, the 

 teeth were much worn down. The only other differences which 

 exist between the teeth of the new species and those of Cyn. Steed- 

 manni consist in the presence, in the outermost incisor in the upper 

 jaw of the former, of a minute but decided internal tubercle, which 

 is not found in the corresponding tooth of Cyn. Steedmanni ; and in 

 the inner lobe of the carnassier of the upper jaw being acute and 

 conical, instead of blunt : the teeth behind this, in both jaws, are 

 wanting in the specimen of the new species. The feet of the new 

 species differ from those of Cyn. Steedmanni by their comparatively 

 shorter claws ; and by having a naked line extending along the un- 

 der surface of the tarsus from the pad to the heel, the whole of the 

 under surface of the tarsus being covered in Cyn. Steedmanni with 

 hair. 



The new species may be thus characterized : 



Cynictis melanurus. Cyn. saturate rufus nigra punctulatus, ad 

 latera pallidior ; guld sordide fiavescenti-brunned ; artubus intertik 

 abdomineque sordidi flavescenti-rufis ; caudd apicem versus lati 

 nigrd, ad apicem floccosd. 



Long, corporis cum capite, 12 unc; caudcE, pilis inclusis, 11; ca- 

 pitis, 2 unc. llin. 



In addition to the distinctive characters which have been noticed 

 above, it may be remarked that Cyn. m.elanurus differs from Cyn. 

 Steedmanni in the greater smoothness, shortness, and glossiness of 

 the fur ; in the less bushy character of the tail ; in the dark tint of 

 the head, back, and limbs ; in the dusky colour of the throat ; and 

 in the black tip of the tail, the corresponding portion of this organ 

 in Cyn. Steedmanni being white. 



Mr. OgUby remarked, that the animal described by Mr. Martin 

 might probably be identical with the one noticed by Bosman under 

 the name of Kokeboe ; but added, that the notice given of it by that 

 traveller was not sufficiently precise to admit of its being determined 

 with certainty. 



A specimen was exhibited of the Chironectes Yapock, Desm., on 

 which Mr. Ogilby remarked as follows. 



" I am indebted to Mr. Natterer for the opportunity of examining 

 this rare and curious animal, of which he brought various specimens 

 from Brazil. ITiat now exhibited is a male, and possesses the same 

 anomaly in the generative organs which characterizes the rest of the 

 Marsupials. I have not seen the female, but Mr. Natterer informs 

 me that the abdominal pouch is complete. The species is found in 

 all the smaller streams of Brazil, and appears to extend from the 

 southern confines of that empire, to the shores of the Gulf of Hon- 

 duras ; Buffon's specimen came from Cayenne, and a skin was re- 

 cently obtained by Mr. W. Brown Scott, labelled ' Demerara Otter.' 



