. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. 3(j2 NATURAL SISTOSY. tlie outer incisors in the lower jawâthe specific name to the paradoxical nature of the animal itself Professor Peters' interpretation of the dentition, which was long a subject of doubt, is now generally accepted, and according to this, there are in the front of the upper jaw two large, acute incisors, with a smaller one placed a little further back on each side ; and in the middle of the lower jaw two very small incisors, with immediately on each side of them one of the large canine-like teeth, with a deep groove or
. Cassell's natural history. Animals; Animal behavior. 3(j2 NATURAL SISTOSY. tlie outer incisors in the lower jawâthe specific name to the paradoxical nature of the animal itself Professor Peters' interpretation of the dentition, which was long a subject of doubt, is now generally accepted, and according to this, there are in the front of the upper jaw two large, acute incisors, with a smaller one placed a little further back on each side ; and in the middle of the lower jaw two very small incisors, with immediately on each side of them one of the large canine-like teeth, with a deep groove or channel on the inner surface, which have already been alluded to. Behind these teeth come in each jaw a canine, four premolars, and three true molars, so that the dental formula, according to this view, isâincisors, '-^=f^, canines, tj, premolars, '^;^, and molars, |£?, making forty teeth in all. The premaxillary bones extend some little distance in front of the roots of the up])er incisor teeth, but the nose itself is prolonged considerably beyond them, forming a long,-slender proboscis. The eyes are small, and the eare of moderate size, and rounded; the body is covered with rather stifl' hairs, â which, however, leave the hinder part, from the root of the tail downwards, almost naked; the tail ia. long, tapering, and ringed, with a few scattered, very short hairs ; the legs are of moderate length, and the feet, all of which have live toes, are nearly naked, or covered only with short hair. The Agouta, or Solenodon of St. Domingo, has the ftice, head, and upper parts brown, becoming blackish behind and on the thi^lis ; thi- sides of the head and i^eck lighter brown, with a mixture of red and grey; the belly and toet tav ny brown; the breast bright rust colour; and the tail greyish towards the base, and white towards the tip. Of the habits of this animal, long supposed to be the only species of its genus, nothing is recorded; but its teeth very clearly indicate a carnivo
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