56 A. H. Verrill — Solenodon of San Domingo. 



I soon found that the animal was well known to the natives 

 in certain isolated localities, but that over the greater portion 

 of the .Republic it was absolutely unknown. 



This is readily accounted for by the presence of the mon- 

 goose in most parts of the country, and it is only a question of 

 time when this pest will overrun the entire island end the 

 Solenodon will become actually exterminated. 



The natives have several names for the Solenodon, calling it 

 "Orso", "Milqui", "Homigero", and " Juron", while the Eng- 

 lish-speaking negroes from the British West Indies know it as 

 " Ground Hog". The name " Juron" (ferret) is also applied 

 to the mongoose, and for some time I was misled by this con- 

 fusion of the two animals. In its habits the Solenodon resem- 

 bles a hog, rooting in the earth and cultivated grounds, tearing 

 rotten logs and trees to pieces with its powerful front claws, 

 and feeding on ants, grubs, insects, vegetables, reptiles, and 

 fruit, and at times proving destructive to poultry. On several 

 occasions it has been known to enter the houses in search of 

 roaches and other vermin, and has been captured in rat-traps. 



It is strictly nocturnal, and spends the day in caves, holes in 

 the coral limestone rocks and in hollow trees and logs. It is a 

 slow, stupid creature. It is unable to run rapidly, but shambles 

 along with the zigzag, sidewise motions of a plantigrade. It is 

 doubtless owing to this that it obtained the native name of 

 u Orso" (bear)." 



Its long snout and stout front feet, with their curved claws, 

 and its thick, short neck, prove impediments to forward pro- 

 gress. According to the natives it is incapable of running 

 straight. They also claim that when pursued it frequently trips 

 itself and tumbles heels over head. When hunted with dogs 

 it thrusts its head into the nearest hole or shelter and allows 

 itself to be captured without resistance. 



The only specimen that I obtained was a female which was 

 captured alive and uninjured. A few days after its capture it 

 gave birth to three naked young. These the mother promptly 

 devoured, and she died three days later. 



This specimen (see figure), as preserved in formol, is 14 inches 

 in length, exclusive of the tail, which measures about 13 inches 

 in length. 



The bod}' and head are covered with sparse, coarse hair, 

 which is reddish ferruginous from the eyes to the shoulders, 

 and dusky brown on the rest of the body. 



The hair becomes very thin and scattered on the hind quar- 

 ters, which for some distance on the back and sides are naked, 

 roughly corrugated, and warty, with a sparse, short, wooly 

 growth between the excrescences. 



The legs, snout, and eyelids are naked and with the bare 



