The femur, thirteen-sixteenths of an inch long, large and strong; the length of the neck considerable ; the great trochanter elongated backwards beyond the line of the articulation of the head of the femur with the acetabulum, and ending in a tuberosity ; the lesser trochanter directed downwarda ; a trochan ter projecting from the outer aide of the shaft of the femur somewhat above the middle ; the condylea moderately elongated transversely, the outer having a crest directed backwards. The tibia and fibula fifteen-sixteenths of an inch, flattened, concave inwards, firmly anchy loacd at each extremity, and arched in opposite directions, giving an appearance of great size and strength to the leg. The os calcis elongated backwards, flat, and ending in a curve slightly inclined upwards. Hind feet plantigrade.
31r. Yarrell.obaerved the following points of resemblance between the skeleton of Chlanlyphorus and that of other Manmedia :-1. Beaver (Castor Fiber), in the form and substance of some of the bones of the limbs, in the flattened and dilated extremity of the tail, and the elongation of the transverse processes of the lower caudal vertebrae, but no further. 2. Mole (Talpa Europaa), in the shortness and great strength of the legs, and in the articulation of the claws to the first phalanges of the toes; but in the form of the bones of the anterior extremity, as well as in the compressed claws, it is perfectly different, nor do the articulations of the bones, nor the arrangement of the muscles, allow any of the lateral motion so conspicuous in the mole. The hinder extremities of Chiamyphorus are also much more power ful. 3. Sloth (Bradypus tridactylus), in the form of the teeth, and in the acute descending process of the zygoma, but not otherwise. 4. Armadilloes (Dasypi), in the coat of mail, in the peculiar ossification of the cervical vertebrae, in possessing the sesamoid hones of the feet, and in the general form of the bones, except those of the pelvis ; they differ however in the form and appendages of the head and in the tail. 5. Orycteropus Capensis end Myrnzecophaya jubata, in some of the bones. 6. Echidna and Ornithorhynchus, in the form of the first bone of the sternum, and in the bony articulations as well as the dilated connecting plates of the true and false ribs. 7 and 8. Buini nantia and Pachydermata, in the form of the lower jaw, and in other points equally obvious. The unique points in its structure appear to
be the form of the head and the open pelvis.
According to Dr. Harlan, the total length of the entire animal is 51 inches. The shell which covers the body is of a consistence some what more dense and inflexible than sole-leather of equal thickness, and is composed of a series of plates of a square, rhomboidal, or cubical form, each row separated by an epidermal or membranous production, which is reflected above and beneath, over the plates : the rows include from 15 to 22 plates, the shell being broadest at its posterior half, extending about one-half round the body. This covering is loose throughout, excepting along the spine of the back and top of the head, being attached to the back immediately above the spine by a loose cuticular production, and by the two remarkable bony processes on the top of the os froutis, by means of two large plates, which are nearly incorporated with the bone beneath ; but for this attachment the covering would be very easily detached. The number of rows of plates on the back, counting from the vertex, where they commence, is 24 ; at the twenty-fourth the shell curves suddenly downwards, so as to form a right angle with the body ; this truncated surface is composed of plates, nearly similar to those of the back ; they are disposed in semicircular rows, five in number ; the lower margin, somewhat elliptical. presents a notch in its centre, in which is attached the free portion of tail, which makes an abrupt curvature, and runs beneath the belly parallel to the axis of the body, the extremity of the tail being depressed, so as to form a paddle ; the rest of the tail compressed. , The superior semicircular margin of the truncated surface, together with the lateral margins of the shell, are beautifully fringed with silky hair.
The posterior half of the head broad, anterior half, before the eyes, tapering ; the occiput is covered by the first five rows of the back plates with which they are continuous ; the occiput not distinguish able externally. The anterior half of the top of the head is covered, first, by a row of large plates, five in number, which are firmly attached to the bone beneath, particularly the two outer ; secondly, by a smaller row, six in number, anterior to which, that is to say, the top of the snout, is covered with smaller plates irregularly disposed.