168 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



They are also surmounted by a sort of valve, which may be 

 considered as a very extraordinary development of the in- 

 ternal point of the helix, and which closes the ear com- 

 pletely above when the animal approaches the anterior part 

 of the conque to the posterior ; an operation which is al- 

 ways performed whenever any foreign body advances to 

 touch this organ. The nose extends considerably beyond 

 the jaws. It is terminated by a snout or muzzle, the pos- 

 terior part of which is divided by five or six scollops, which 

 compose a kind of fringe work round it. The orifice of the 

 olfactory conduit is open at the lower part of the nostrils, 

 and consists in a furrow, which following a curved line, 

 rises towards the upper part of the muzzle. The lips (as 

 they are indeed in the whole genus) are entire, and no 

 other accessory organ is found within the mouth. 



The organs of locomotion consist in plantigrade feet, 

 which have five toes, armed with very long nails. The re- 

 lative length of the toes in the two feet proceeds thus in a 

 decreasing ratio : — the middle toe, annular, index, small 

 toe, and thumb. The sole is furnished with three tubercles 

 at the end of the four longest toes, and one extremely large 

 towards the middle. The palm has also three tubercles at 

 the base of the four first toes, then two more at its lower 

 part, a large one and a smaller. All these parts are covered 

 with a skin extremely soft and susceptible of the most deli- 

 cate sensation of touch. The tail is very short, and usually 

 folded back upon the genital parts. The teats, to the num- 

 ber of five on each side, extend from the arm-pit to the 

 groin. 



The description of the teeth we have already given in 

 our observations on the genus, and it is unnecessary to re- 

 peat it here. We have also given every thing that is known 

 concerning the manners and habits of the animal, and 

 usages to which its organs are appropriated. We shall 

 only add that the faculty which it possesses of enveloping 



