248 



THE ANIMALS AND MAN 



and moles are all small carnivorous animals, which, be- 

 cause of their size, confine their attacks chiefly to insects. 

 The shrews are small and mouse-like; certain kinds of 

 them lead a semi-aquatic life. There are nearly a score 

 of species in North America. Of the moles, of which there 



FIG. 129. The hoary bat, Lasiurus cinereus. (Photograph from life, 

 by J. O. Snyder.) 



are but few species, the common mole (Scalops aquaticus) 

 is well known, while the star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata) 

 is recognizable by the peculiar rosette of about twenty carti- 

 laginous rays at the tip of its snout. Moles live underground 

 and have the fore feet wide and shovel-like for digging. 

 The European hedgehogs are members of this order. 



The bats (Chiroptera).--The bats (fig. 129), order Chi- 



