1865.] SoLATEn on tlie Mammals of South America. 621 



Eio de la Plata to the United States, but seem to be most numerous 

 in Brazil, whence some twenty species have been obtained. Chiro- 

 nectes, the second genus of American Marsupials, contains only one 

 known species, the Ghironectes variegatus, or Water-Opossum of Brazil 

 and Guiana, distinguished by its aquatic habits, as well as by 

 modifications of structure which adapt it to that mode of life. 

 Hyracodon, the third and last, likewise contains only a single type 

 remarkable for its Insectivorine dentition, which has been recently 

 made known to science by Mr. Tomes.* 



Having now done my best to give a general outline of the 

 principal forms of Mammals found within the Neotropical area, it 

 only remains to recapitulate the principal characteristics which 

 distinguish this region from the other great regions of the world's 

 surface. These, I think, may be stated as follows : — 



1. The possession of two families of Quadrumana (Cebidaa and 

 Hapalidae), constituting a special section of this Order (Platyrhina) 

 peculiar to this region. 



2. The absence of the true frugivorous Bats (Pteropodidae) and the 

 presence of a peculiar family of Chiroptera (Phyllostoniatidae), some 

 forms of which are frugivorous, and others feed solely on the blood 

 of living animals. 



3. The absence of Insectivora, except the singular genus Solen- 

 odon of the Antilles. 



4. The absence of Viverridaa, and the presence of several peciUiar 

 genera of Carnivores (Idicyon, Galictis, Nasua, and Cercoleptes). 



5. The absence of true Mus, which is replaced by Hesperomys 

 and allied forms, and the presence of numerous forms of Hystricidae, 

 constituting nearly the whole of this extensive and varied family. 



6. The absence of Proboscideans and Perissodactyles, except 

 Tapirus. 



7. The great poverty of Euminants, the family Bovidaa being 

 entirely unrepresented, and only Cervus and Auchenia occurring out 

 of the whole Sub-order. 



8. The presence of three families, containing by far the majority 

 of genera and species, of Edentates. 



9. The possession of a peculiar family of Marsupials, which has 

 intruded itself into the Nearctic Begion, but is unknown elsewhere. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATION. 



Mr. Wolfs plate represents a (rather crowded) scene in a Brazilian forest. 

 Hanging from the branches in the left-hand corner is a two-toed Sloth (Cholcepus 

 didactylus). Below it is a Kinkajou (Cercoleptes caudivolvulus). In the upper 

 right-hand corner are various American Monkeys (Cebus, Callithrix, Piihecia^, 

 with a large Spider Monkey (Ateles) hanging by its tail in front. On the ground 

 is a pair of Armadillos (Tolypeutes tricinctus), to the right a great Anteater 

 (Myrmecophaga jubata), and, with its prehensile tail coiled round a tree, to the left 

 a Tamandua Anteater {Tamandua tridactyla). A pair of Tapirs (Tapirus 

 am&ricanus) are enjoying a bath in company with a Capybara (Hydrochwrus 

 cnpybara), while a Jaguar (Felis onm) is drinking in the background. 



* «Proe. Zool. Soe.,' 18C3, p. 50. 



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