90 MAMMALIA. 



there is no conch to the ear, and the eye is not percepti- 

 ble, (l) 



Talpa, Lin. 



No one is ignorant of this curious animal, the Mole, whose form so 

 perfectly qualifies it for a subterraneous nriode of life. A very short 

 arm attached to a long scapula, supported by a powerful clavicle 

 and furnished with enormous muscles, sustains an extremely large 

 hand, the palm of which is always directed either outwards or back- 

 wards ; the lower edge of this hand is trenchant, the fingers are 

 scarcely perceptible, but the nails in which they terminate are long, 

 flat, strong and sharp. Such is the instrument employed by the 

 Mole to tear the earth and throw it behind it. Its sternum, like 

 that of Birds and Bats, has a process which gives to the pectoral 

 muscles the size that is required for their functions. To pierce and 

 raise up the earth, it makes use of its long pointed head, whose muz- 

 zle is armed at its extremity with a peculiar little bone, and whose 

 muscles are extremely powerful. There is even an additional bone 

 in the cervical ligament. It has but little power behind, and moves 

 as slowly above ground as it advances rapidly under it. Its sense of 

 hearing is very acute, and the tympanum very large, although there 

 is no external ear ; its eyes are so small and so hidden by the hair, that 

 for a long time their existence was positively denied. In the genital 

 organs there is this peculiarity the bones of the pubis are not 

 united, a circumstance which permits it to produce tolerably large 

 young ones, notwithstanding the narrowness of the pelvis. The 

 urethra of the female passes through the clitoris. She has six teats. 

 The jaws are weak, and the food consists of Worms, Insects, and 

 some soft roots. There are six incisors above and eight below. 

 The canini have two roots, which causes them to partake of the na- 

 ture of false molars j back of theim are four false molars above and 

 three below, after which are three bristled molars. 



T. europaeciy L. ; Buff. VIII, xiii. (The Common Mole.) 

 Pointed muzzle ; hair soft and black ; individuals are found 

 white, fawn coloured and piebald a vexatious animal in culti- 

 vated grounds. 



This species, according to Dr Harlan, is also found in North 

 America. (2) 



(1) The Bed Mole of America, Seba, I, pi. xxxii, f. 1, {Talpa rubra, Lin.) is 

 most probably a Chryso asiaticus, drawn from a dried specimen of that species, 

 for then the hair appears purple ; the tucun of Fernandez, App.'XXIV, which is 

 considered as synonymous with it, from its two long teeth in each jaw and its 

 vegetable diet, appears to be a Spalax. 



(2) A mistake : the europxa is not found here. Jim. Ed. 



