CARNIVORA. 
287 
both from the moles and shrews. If, therefore, the 
teeth be adopted as the basis of artificial arrange- 
ment, this animal must be separated into a distinct 
genus j which the other peculiarities incident to it 
seem still more decidedly to require. 
It has six incisive teeth above, and four below; 
but these are not all of the same shape and size, 
particularly those in the upper jaw, the two middle- 
most of which are large and bent, the next to them 
on each side long and conical, and the outermost 
very small. There are three above, and five below, 
of the teeth called ambiguous ; and four cheek-teeth 
above, and three below. 
This animal measures not more than four inches, 
and the tail nearly two. The muzzle is elongated, 
much wrinkled, and furnished with a bone in the 
snout ; the end is truncated ; and the edge of this 
is surrounded with a considerable number of carti- 
laginous radii. These, it is said, the animal has the 
power bf drawing together, or dilating, at will, in the 
manner of the calices of flowers. We are very fre- 
quently, though not always, enabled to discover the 
beneficial purpose intended in the peculiarities or 
general characters observable in every being ; but 
the use to which this animal applies this singular 
appendage is not yet satisfactorily ascertained. In- 
deed, its habits have not been described, although 
the animal seems common in its native countries. 
We have not an original drawing of it ; but have 
copied from a figure already published. 
