| OCR Text |
Show 1892.] MUSCULAR ANATOMY OF AULACODUS. 525 so, too, is the Semi-membranosus in having two distinct parts ; there is, however, too little known at present about the musculature of the Rodentia to allow of any detailed comparisons of Aulacodus with other types. I content myself therefore with pointing out the above-mentioned differences from its near ally Capromys. II. VISCERAL ANATOMY. As I have already mentioned, Prof. Garrod has described the main points in the visceral anatomy of this Rodent; I may, however, call attention to a few matters which he did not specially dwell upon. The accompanying drawing (fig. 1) illustrates the ridges upon Fig. 1. Palate of Aulacodus, to illustrate the ridges upon the hard palate. the hard palate ; these ridges, as will be seen from the figure, are symmetrical, and at the same time few in number; they are for the most part in front of the molars. An inspection of the figure will save the necessity for any further description. The Spleen is of a triangular form ; its longest diameter measures 2\ inches, the shorter diameter If inches. The Ceecum has been very fully treated of by Garrod; but he was in error, as I have already pointed out in a previous paper, in ascribing a unique character to the structure of this part of the alimentary canal ; in Dolichotis there are a series of folds in the interior of the caecum which bear not a little resemblance to those of Aulacodus. Garrod has also said nothing about the folds of mesentery which support the caecum ; near to the caecum the small intestine has a mesentery PROC. ZOOL. Soc-1892, No. XXXVI. 36 |
