126 The American Naturalist. [February, 



be found in the brain and reproductive system. The brain 

 has not been examined, but the external form of the skull 

 indicates characters like those of Chrysochloris, including lar- 

 ger hemispheres than are usual in marsupials. As to the 

 reproductive system, the penis is single, indicating an undi- 

 vided vagina in the female, a character non-marsupial, or 

 present only in a highly .specialized family of the order. The 

 penis is cloacal as it is in Chrysochloris, as described by Dob- 

 son (Monograph of the Inseetivora p. 125). Returning to the 

 - skeleton, we have other Insectivorous characters, which are 

 non-marsupial. First; the imperforate palate; Second; the 

 presence of a patella: Third; the incisor teeth, which are 

 neither diprotodont, nor polyprotodont, but in number J, nor- 

 mal in the placental Mammalia. 



If we adopt the view that this genus is placental, we have 

 the following additional points of resemblance to the Chryso- 

 chloridae. First, the general shape and structure of the skull. 

 Second, the shape of the scapula, when- the inferior (posterior) 

 spinous ridge represents the edge of the thickened border in 

 Chrysochloris. Third, the presence of a heavy metacromion. 

 Fourth, the slenderness of the clavicle. Fifth, the shape of the 

 humerus, especially distally, where however the entepicondylar 

 foramen is closed, while it is open in Chrysochloris (Dobson). 

 Sixth, the shapes of the ulna and radius are much like those 

 in Chrysochloris. Seventh, even the form and character of the 

 anterior foot, where the resemblance is great, although obvious 

 differences exist. Eighth, the general shape of the pelvis is 

 similar, especially the horizontal position, with minute obturator 

 foramen. The presence of a symphysis pubis, and a posterior 

 articulation of the ischium with the sacrum are important 

 differences. The symphysis exists however in various Inseetivora 

 and the ischiosacral articulation is present in many Edentata. 

 There is not much resemblance in the forms of the tibia and 

 fibula, but these two elements are distinct from each other in 

 both forms. Ninth, the posterior foot resembles considerably 

 that of Chrysochloris, with manifest differences; and is similarly 



