194 EDENTATA 
is also completely modified into a climbing organ. The hallux is 
rudimentary, consisting of a metatarsal and one phalanx, concealed 
beneath the skin; but the other four toes are subequal and much 
curved, with long pointed compressed claws. The tuber calcanei is 
directed towards the plantar surface, and parallel with it and 
extending to about double its length is a greatly elongated sesamoid 
ossicle. These together support a prominent calcarine cushion, to 
which the nails are opposed in climbing. Stomach pyriform, with 
muscular walls, but no distinct gizzard-like portion, as in the 
oP foregoing genera. Commence- 
ment of the colon provided with 
two small ceca (Fig. 66), resem- 
bling those of many birds, narrow 
at the base, and rather dilated 
at their terminal blind ends, and 
communicating with the general 
cavity by very minute apertures. 
Tail longer than the body, taper- 
ing, bare on the under surface, 
and very prehensile. Fur soft 
Fic. 66.—Ceca of the Two-toed Anteater and silky. 
paces didactylus). i, Tleum ; ¢, colon. This genus has also but one 
species certainly known, the Little or Two-toed Anteater (C\ di- 
dactylus), an animal not larger than a Rat, of a general yellowish- 
colour, and exclusively arboreal in its habits. It is a native of 
the hottest parts of South and Central America. 
Family DASYPODID. 
The greater part of the skin strongly ossified. On the back 
and sides the union of numerous quadrate or polygonal scutes forms 
a hard shield, usually consisting of an anterior (scapular) and 
posterior (pelvic) solid portion (which overhang on each side the 
parts of the body they respectively cover, forming chambers into 
which the limbs are withdrawn), and a variable number of rings 
between, connected by soft flexible skin so as to allow of curvature 
of the body. The top of the head has also a similar shield 
(cephalic), and the tail is usually encased in bony rings or plates. 
The outer or exposed surfaces of the limbs are protected by irregular 
bony scutes, not united at their margins; but the skin of the a 
surface of the limbs and under side of the body is soft, and more or 
less clothed with hair. Hairs also in many species project through 
apertures between the bony scutes of the back. The aagitied 
dermal scutes are everywhere covered by a layer of horny epi- 
dermis. Teeth numerous, simple, of persistent growth, and usually 
