386 



Ml!, R. I. ['OCOCK ON THE EXTICRNAL 



integument l)etween them are corvespoiKlingly reduced ; and the 

 same applies to the carpal and metatarsal elements. Also the 

 fifth digit both in. the foi'e and hind foot is relatively shorter and 

 set farther away from the fourth in Echimys, Carterodon, and 



I'ext-tigure 9. 



A. Iviglit bind foot of Octodon degus. 



B. „ fore „ ,, the same. 



C. ,, \m\'\. foot of Capromys pilorides. 



D. ,, fore „ ,, the same, showing the smooth area of the carpal pad 



behind the pollex. 



Mesomjis. In Mesoinys the feet are more fossorial in type, being 

 broader, niid supplied with shorter digits and longer stronger 

 claws. Moreovei-, the fourth digit of the exceptionally wide fore 

 foot is considerably shorter than the second and third. 



