6 PBOFESSOB ALLMAN OX THE CHARACTERS 



united by their opposed surfaces for the entire length of the first phalanx, a very narrow 

 extension of the skin existing at the base of the other digital intervals; the claws are 

 of the same form as those of the fore limbs, but are a little longer. The outer edge of 

 the sole projects as a narrow membranous border along the whole of the metatarsal 

 region. 



The length of the tail, measured from the posterior margin of the vent, is equal to 

 the distance from the same point to the middle of the throat. It is so thick at its 

 base that the trunk seems uninterruptedly continued into it ; but it soon becomes 

 laterally compressed, and then grows gradually thinner and narrower towards the tip ; 

 immediately in front of the vent it is nearly cylindrical, with a diameter of about l-j^g 

 inch ; from this point it gradually thins away, and, at an incli beyond it, its vertical 

 height is 1^ inch, and its breadth yo inch; while at three inches fi'om the same 

 point its height is 1 inch, and its thickness -^ inch ; its lower edge is rounded, and 

 its upper is continued into a membranous crest of about ^ inch in height, and clothed 

 with the same short, stiff, appressed hairs with which the distal part of the tail is 

 covered. 



Teeth. — The determination of the dental formula is not without difficulty. . The incisor 

 teeth of the upper jaw (PI. II. & fig. 7, p. 10) can be easily ascertained by the limits of the 

 premaxillary, whose suture with the maxillary continues very distinct. They will be found 

 to be three on each side, though one of them closely resembles a large projecting canine ; 

 so also to the first three teeth on each side in the lower jaw the same significance must 

 be assigned. A difficulty, however, lies in the tooth which in each jaw succeeds to the 

 incisors. In position it is a canine, but in form it is a premolar. It follows close upon the 

 third incisor, without the intervention of any distinct diastema ; but in the upper jaw it is 

 two-fanged, and in other respects is entirely similar to the premolar which follows it ; 

 in tlie lower jaw, however, it is implanted by a single fang, and does not so entirely 

 resemble the succeeding premolar as in the upper jaw ; this lower tooth passes imme- 

 diately in front of the upper one when the jaw is closed, and must certainly be regarded 

 as its equivalent. Considering, therefore, tliat in the upper jaw the tooth in questiou 

 is absolutely similar both in its root and in its crown to an indubitable premolar, 

 I believe we may safely regard it and its corresponding tooth in the lower jaw as 

 premolars rather than canines; and the dentition of Potmnogale will then present 

 a series in which the canine teeth are suppressed, and which may be formulated as 

 follows : — 



. 3_3 0-0 3-3 3-3 „„ 



'•3r3'^-()ro'^-3=3''"-3::3'=^^- 



In the upper jaw the first incisor resembles a canine ; it projects more than any other 

 tooth in the jaw ; it is conical and pointed, converging above from its base toward its 

 fellow, and then diverging below so as to foim a curve whose concavity looks outwards ; 

 it is cun'ed also in another direction, having the concavity looking backwards. The 



