VII. 



INSECT1VORA. 



95 



ribs are attached. In this genus the xiphisternum is rudi- 

 mentary, whereas in the Shrews it is long and ends in a flat 

 expanded cartilage. 



The Mole (Talpa) and its nearest allies have a remark- 

 ably developed presternum, which is as long as the whole 

 of the mesosternum (Fig. 34). It is strongly keeled below, 

 except at the front part, which is much thickened. On its 



JT- 



FIG. 34. Sternum and sternal ribs of the Common Mole {Talpa europcea) with the 

 clavicles (cl) and humeri (//). Nat. size. 



superior or inner surface it is grooved in the middle line. 

 Laterally it gives off a pair of wing-like processes, behind 

 which the first ribs are attached. It is distinctly separated 

 from the mesosternum, which consists of five segments of 

 nearly equal width. The xiphisternum has a broad oval 

 cartilaginous expansion posteriorly. 



