. Natural history. Zoology. 124 MAMMALIA—ORDER VI. — Fig. 67.—A HvRAX {Proeavia). The Tapirs- Family Tapiridun. being coated with enamel. Tiie clieek teeth, wliicli include four pairs of premolars and four of molars in each jaw, are singularly like those of the rhinoceroses, and thus quite different from those of the Rodents. With the exception of the second toe of the hind-foot, the toes are protected by short, broad nails; and the tail is remarkable for its extreme shortness. In general appearance, hyraces (whicli are the conies of Scripture) are very like large cavies. While the
. Natural history. Zoology. 124 MAMMALIA—ORDER VI. — Fig. 67.—A HvRAX {Proeavia). The Tapirs- Family Tapiridun. being coated with enamel. Tiie clieek teeth, wliicli include four pairs of premolars and four of molars in each jaw, are singularly like those of the rhinoceroses, and thus quite different from those of the Rodents. With the exception of the second toe of the hind-foot, the toes are protected by short, broad nails; and the tail is remarkable for its extreme shortness. In general appearance, hyraces (whicli are the conies of Scripture) are very like large cavies. While the majority live in colonies among the cracks and crannies of rocks, some of the African species are arboreal in their habits, climbing the stems and larger branches of trees, and sleeping in their holes; in this respect they are unique among the Ungulate order. The primitive and ancient group of animals commonly known as tapirs are the first representatives of the third sub-ordinal section of the Ungulates, technically termed the Perissodactyle section. The essential feature of the members of this section is to be found in the structure of tlie feet, in which the toe corresponding to the third or middle digit of the human hand or foot is always larger than the one on each side of it, and symmetrical in itself ; the total number of toes on the hind-foot never exceeding three, and on the front-foot four. It is in consequence of this special development of the third toe that the group is spoken of as the Odd-toed or Perissodactyle Ungulates. In addition to this essential feature, the Perissodactyla differ from the two preceding sub-orders in the structure of the wrist-j(jint of the fore-foot, in which the two horizontal rows of small bones not only interlock with one another, but are likewise not disposed in vertical lines immediately above the supporting metacarpals. Hence in these animals it would be im- possible to cleave the foot between any two of the toes without cutting
Size: 1948px × 1283px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorly, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectzoology
