16 QUADRUPEDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Description. The upper incisors are white, and stand at right 

 angles to the jaw ; they are comparatively wide, and resemble 

 the middle incisors in man ; they are also longer and more robust 

 than the lower. The grinders have a considerable resemblance 

 to those of Bats, being studded, or rather bristled, with points. 

 In the specimen before me, there are no vacant spaces between 

 the incisors and false grinders. The extremity of the nose is 

 naked and grooved. It is a flexible proboscis, capable of exten- 

 sion, and is used for the conveyance of food to the mouth. There 

 are numerous hair-like, grayish whiskers, both on the upper and 

 lower jaw. There is no distinct neck, but a gradual tapering 

 from the anterior legs to the nose. The body is long, thick, and 

 cylindrical, and having but a slight taper towards the tail. The 

 anterior legs are short and stout, and the whole arm and fore-arm 

 is concealed beneath the skin. The back of the hand is adpressed, 

 and sparsely covered with hair of a lighter color than that upon 

 the body. They are situated far towards the anterior extremity 

 of the body. Nails white, long, linear-lanceolate, and rather ob- 

 tuse, curved above, and slightly hollowed out beneath. Fingers 

 extremely short. Posterior extremities smaller by one half than 

 the anterior ; nails, somewhat curved, but not hooked ; middle 

 one the longest and largest ; palm turned outwards and back- 

 wards ; fur light slate, darker beneath, velvety. 



Dimensions. 



in. t'ths. 



Whole length of the head and body, . . 6 



Tail, 10 



Pencil of hair terminating the tail, . ..05 



Length of the hand, 7 



" middle nail, .... 3 



" foot, 7 



" skull, 13 



Width of the hand, 5 



" foot, 2h 



Observations. This animal is usually met with in low, damp 

 places, as such are the most productive of its natural food. The 

 whole body is formed for securing strength, and its shape and the 

 structure of its limbs fit it admirably for an underground residence. 



