Mr. Yarrell observes that when separating the skin from the muscles of the back the fibres (described by Dr. Harlan) by which the outer coat was attached in the line of the vertebrae were found to be adherent to the muscles immediately investing the apinous pro cesses, and each of them, Mr. Yarrell supposes, probably affords a nidus for vessels nourishing the external covering; but these attach ments did not extend below the dorsal vertebrae. Proceeding from thence forwards the great size of the muscles of the scapula; and neck was apparent, filling up the whole space, the back and upper portion of the head forming one continued line. The thick plate of scales covering the frontal portion of the head was without difficulty sepa rated from the surfaces of the singular bony processes of the os frontis ; the projecting cartilaginous portion of the nose was removed with the skin, and the tendons of several muscles giving motion to the snout were cut through.
The hinder portion of the body still remained to be separated from the skin, and this was found to be a matter of some difficulty. The posterior and inferior portions of the sacrum on each side were firmly united by distinct attachments, differing in form, to certain scales of the truncated extremity of the outer covering.
The necessity of preserving this outer covering entire rendered a division of these portions of bone necessary, and from the particular form of the part this was attended with some hazard, but was ulti mately accomplished without injury, the bones being cut through as near to and as parallel with the inner surface of the plates as their confined situation would admit. The covering of the tail was sepa rated from the vertebras as far as the flattened extremity, where the greater elongation of the transverse, processes of the last four vertebrae and the tenuity of this flattened portion made further separation difficult. The tail was then divided between the tenth and eleventh vertebrae, and both parts of the animal entirely separated.
On the inner surface of the removed skin were two long broad and thin muscles extending the whole length of the back ; each muscle was divided as it approached the shoulder into two portions ; the outer one was attached to the superior and greater spine of the scapular bone ; the inner and longer slip proceeded forwards, and was Inserted into the transverse occipital ridge. The posterior extremity of each muscle was attached to the superior edge of the spine of the ilium.
The external oar, according to 1)r. Harlan, consists of a circular somewhat patulous opening, directly posterior to the eye, surrounded with an elevated margin, and communicating with a bony canal. The cue is minute, totally black, and, like the ear, nearly hidden by long silky hair. The mouth is small. The nose is furnished with an enlarged cartilage, as in the hog, the anterior nares opening down wards at the inferior border.
The whole surface of the body is, it appears from the same author, —and the correctness of his description is proved by an inspection of the stuffed specimen—covered with fine silk-like hair, longer and finer than that of the mole, but not so thick set. The anterior of the chest is large, full, and strong; the anterior extremities short, clumsy, and powerful; the hair is continued for some distance on tho palm—the phalanges of the hand .united ; five powerful nails rising gradually one above the other, the external shortest and broadest; the whole so arranged as to form a sharp cutting instrument, rather scooped, very convenient for progression under ground, and such as must very much impede motion on the surface. Hind legs weak and short; feet long and narrow ; the sole resembles considerably the human foot, having a well-defined heel, which rests flat upon the ground, and being arched in the middle ; toes separate, nails strong.
In the specimen dissected by Mr. Yarrell the abdomen and thorax bad been opened throughout their whole length, and the viscera from both cavities had been entirely removed. Adhering to the skin lining the truncated portion of the animal were two sacs, which had been lodged in cavities on each outer side of the sacrum, immediately under the superior projection, made evident by the corresponding depression in the investing muscle of that part. These globular bags were lined with a secreting surface, but having suffered some muti lation in removal, the mode by which the secretion passed, or its particular use, could not be ascertained. Mr. Yarrell thinks that they are probably analogous to the well-known anal glands of various other quadrupeds.
According to Mr. Closeberry, who first discovered this animal, the habits of Chlastyphorus resemble those of the mole, as it lives for the most part under ground. He adds that the animal is reputed to carry its young beneath the scaly cloak with which it is covered, and that the tail possesses little or no motion.