Cope.] 550 [Jan . 5f 



the carpal face is another rough projection of the margin. Immediately 

 opposite this, on the superior edge of the carpal face, is a rough tuberosity, 

 which encloses a small rough fossa, between itself and the styloid pro- 

 cess. Internal to it is a shallow groove for an extensor tendon of the 

 manus ; then a low short ridge, and internal to that a wide shallow de- 

 pression for other extensors. The carpal face differs greatly from those of 

 Sarcophilus and Didelphys in having the inner portion wider than the outer, 

 instead of the reverse, and in having no distinct styloid process. It indi- 

 cates that the manus was turned outwards much more decidedly than in 

 those genera. 



Of carpal hones the only recognizable one is the unciform. Its proximal 

 articular surface rises with a strong convexity entad, and descends to an 

 edge ectad. The metacarpal surface is concave in anteroposterior sec- 

 tion, forming a wide shallow groove, extending in the direction of the 

 width of the foot. Its two metacarpal areas are not distinguished. The 

 entire first and second metacarpals, with the heads of the third and fourth 

 are preserved. They considerably resemble those of Sarcophilus ursinus. 

 The distal articulations are injured in both, but both display a sharp troch- 

 lear keel posteriorly, which on the second extends nearly to the superior 

 face of the articulation. The condyle is subround, and is constricted lat- 

 erally, and at the base above. The second metacarpal is short and ro- 

 bust, shorter than in Sarcophilus ursinus. The first is also robust, but is 

 relatively longer, as it is three-quarters the length of the second. Its head 

 is expanded, especially posteriorly, and the large trapezial face is subtrian- 

 gular, with round apex directed inwards as well as forward. The poste- 

 rior face of the head is notched ectad to the middle. On the external 

 side of the head there is a vertical facet with convex distal outline, for con- 

 tact with the second metacarpal. The head of the latter is narrow, and is 

 concave between the sides. The concavity is bounded posteriorly by a 

 raised edge. The anterior part of the proximal facet is decurved. The 

 shaft is deep proximally, but on the distal half is wider than deep. The 

 lateral distal fossse are remarkably deep and narrow, the condyle very much 

 contracted. The head of the supposed third metacarpal is as wide as the sec- 

 ond anteriorly, but narrows to the posterior third, and then contracts ab- 

 ruptly to a narrow apex. The supposed external side of the head is per- 

 fectly straight, and is continuous with the side of the shaft without inter- 

 ruption. The entad side displays no facet, but has a depression below 

 the head which adapts itself very well to the head of the first metacarpal. 

 In fact, if the metacarpals just named second and third, exchange places, 

 so that second is placed third and third second, the metacarpal series fits 

 far better. The fourth fits the so-called second much better than the so- 

 called third. This may therefore be the true order, although that first 

 used agrees better with the carpus of Sarcophilus. The head of the so- 

 called third is sl'ightly convex anteroposteriorly, and is oblique laterally, 

 descending a little to the inner side. The fourth metacarpal is. wider an- 

 teriorly than either the second or third. The inner edge is straight, while' 



