STAE-NOSED MOLE 
148 
As for the geological history of these forms, a number of 
insectivores with talpoid dentition have been met with in the 
middle Eocene (Bridger) of North America, and referred to 
the mole family (Talpidae), but, according to Dr. Matthew, 
most of them are incompletely known and of doubtful 
affinities.* The first undoubted member of the family (Pro- 
scalops) makes its appearance in the Oligocene beds of 
Colorado, being apparently related to the modern Scalops. 
Owing to their subterranean habits, the moles are rarely 
found fossil, except in fissures such as those of La Grive 
St. Alban in southern Prance. Palaeontology does not aid 
us materially in solving the problem as to the place of origin 
of the Talpidae, or the geological period during which the 
moles have wandered from one continent to the other. We 
are also entirely in the dark as to the route they have taken 
on entering the New World from the Old or vice versa. They 
may possibly have spread eastward from the western States, 
but a careful comparative study of the living American moles 
seems more likely to elucidate this problem than palaeonto¬ 
logical research. 
* Matthew, W. D., “ Carnivora and Insectivora of the Bridger,” p. 53G. 
