SOLENODON PARADOXUS. 
on 
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The muscular anatomy of the two species is essentially similar although in 
case of the Cuban Solenodon, our knowledge is still somewhat imperfect, and | 
rests almost wholly on the account by Dobson. This author fails to describe 
in S. cubanus a stylo-hyoid, though it may be present as in S. paradoxus. Other 
differences found in the latter as compared with Dobson’s description of S. 
cubanus are: a single head to the biceps instead of two; a second head to the 
gluteus maximus arising from the ilium; slight differences in the insertion of 
the adductor longus; the union of the soleus with gastrocnemius. Additional 
peculiarities are the insertion of tibialis anticus upon the entocuneiform instead 
of on the first metatarsal; the insertion of peroneus longus upon metatarsals 
1 and 5; the insertion of tibialis posticus upon the os calcis instead of upon the 
naviculare as in S. cubanus and other allied genera. 
Osteological differences beyond those emphasized by previous writers who 
have compared the skulls only, are: 16 instead of 15 dorsal vertebrae and thus 
an additional rib in S. paradoxus; one less segment to the sternum and a differ- 
ently shaped xiphisternum; the separation of the radiale and the intermedium, 
which are said by Dobson to be fused in S. cubanus; the distal fusion of the 
tibia and fibula, described as separate in S. cubanus. The proximal expansion 
— 
of the entocuneiforme to articulate ventrally with the anterior end of the os calcis — 
is also a peculiarity not previously noted, though it may be similarly developed | 
in the Cuban animal. The number of sacrals is probably the same in both | 
species, since the fifth sacral figured by Peters for the latter, seems to be a fused | 
caudal. 
Other differences are noted in the visceral anatomy, such as the number of 
palatal rugae, which are normally eight in number, whereas nine are figured by 
Peters for S. cubanus; the presence of a rounded azygos lobe to the right lung | 
is not noted by Peters, and his figures of the stomach and pancreas show slight | 
differences that may be in part due to poor preservation. The Cuban Solenodon | 
appears further to differ from S. paradoxus in that the fifth cervical nerve enters : 
as a major element into the brachial plexus. The plexuses, however, are subject 
to some slight variation, and additional specimens might show that this is not af} 
constant difference. 
Among the less specialized Insectivora, characterized by tritubercular |) 
their separation as a family, as has been emphasized by previous writers. Un-}l} 
doubtedly their position is near the Centetidae, from which they differ in af 
number of specialized characters, as the position of the penis, the differentiation | 
