An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinct — John Shaqi
An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinctLydekker, Richard
Science
An introduction to the study of mammals living and extinct
Lydekker, Richard
Mammals
_Scales, etc._—True scales, or flat imbricated plates of horny material,
covering the greater part of the body, so frequently occurring in
reptiles, are found only in one family of mammals, the _Manidæ_ or
Pangolins; but these are also associated with hairs growing from the
intervals between the scales, or on the parts of the skin not covered
by them. Similarly, imbricated epidermic productions form the covering
of the under surface of the tail of the flying Rodents of the genus
_Anomalurus_; and flat scutes, with the edges in apposition, and not
overlaid, clothe both surfaces of the tail of the Beaver, Rats, and
others of the same order, and also of some Insectivores and Marsupials.
The Armadillos alone have an ossified exoskeleton, composed of plates
of true bony tissue, developed in the derm or corium, and covered with
scutes of horny epidermis. Other epidermic appendages are the horns of
Ruminants and Rhinoceroses,—the former being elongated, tapering, hollow
caps of hardened epidermis of fibrillated structure, fitting on and
growing from conical projections of the frontal bone, and always arranged
in pairs, while the latter are of similar structure, but solid and
without any internal bony support, and (in all existing species) situated
in the median line. Callosities, or bare patches covered with hardened
and thickened epidermis, are found covering the pads under the soles of
the feet and undersurfaces of the toes of nearly all mammals, upon the
ischial tuberosities of many Apes, the sternum of Camels, on the inner
side of the limbs of the _Equidæ_, the grasping under surface of the
tail of the prehensile-tailed Monkeys, etc. The greater part of the skin
of both species of one-horned Asiatic Rhinoceros is immensely thickened
and stiffened by increase of the tissue both of the derm and epiderm,
constituting the well-known jointed “armour-plated” hide of those animals.
_Nails, Claws, and Hoofs._—With very few exceptions, the terminal
extremities of the digits of both limbs are more or less protected or
armed by epidermic plates or sheaths, constituting the various forms
of nails, claws, or hoofs. These are wanting in the Cetacea alone. A
perforated spur, with a special secreting gland in connection with it,
is found attached to the hind leg of the males of the three genera of
Monotremata, _Ornithorhynchus_, _Proechidna_, and _Echidna_.
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