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Show 160 MR. R. COLLETT ON ECHinNA ACANTHION. [Feb. 3, 425 millim. The other specimens were smaller, had a length to the root of tail of 12 and 125 inches, or, with the same calculation, a total length of 325 and 341 millim. It is evident from Mr. Ramsay's short description and measurements, that E. acanthion is very nearly related to E. lawesi. The same armature of the back with powerful and closely-set spines, and a very scanty covering with hairs between the spines is found in both ; and in both the claws on the hind feet show the same mutual proportions of length, by which they easily may be distinguished from the South-Australian and Tasmanian species. Although Ramsay's description of E. lawesi, on account of the limited materials, could not be very exhaustive, there still seem to exist differences, which entitle us to separate the Australian form from its neighbour on the other side of the Strait. I endeavour below to touch upon the points in which E. acanthion seems to differ from E. lawesi, although such comparison can only advantageously be made with the specimens of E. lawesi themselves, which I have not had an opportunity of seeing. Besides the short original description of the latter species, I have just received in a letter from m y friend Dr.Vinciguerra a few remarks on a specimen in the Museo Civico, in Genoa, received in exchange from Berlin, and examined by Dr. Grestro. The chief difference between them seems to exist in the length of the snout (and perhaps also that of the skull), which is perceptibly shorter in E. acanthion than in the other species. As to the skull, there is unfortunately no exact statement given of its length in Ramsay's short description of E. lawesi. Only in the type-specimen, the total length of which has been about 336 millim., the length of the skull is said to have been four inches, or about 103 millim. This undoubtedly is on the whole larger than in equally large specimens of E. acanthion. This seems also evident from another of the measures given. In Ramsay's type specimen of E. lawesi, the total length of which is about 336 millim., the distance from tip of snout to the ear is (skin stretched) 4-5 inches, or 113 millim. In the Genoa specimen, with a total length 377 millim., the same distance is 120 millim. In E. acanthion, on the other hand, the length of the skull is 93 millim. in the young male with a total length of 365 millim.; and even in the largest specimen, the total length of which is 448 millim., the skull does not exceed 111 millim. The length of the snout is measured in all Ramsay's four specimens of E. lawesi, and has been found to be as follows l:- Total >> J> »J length >> >> » 326 millim 336 341 430 >> >> >> Length of snout 53 milllim. >> >» 63" ,, 50 55 >5 01 ,, 1 Calculated from the English measurements. 2 " From tip of snout to the eye 2-5 inches." |