SCAPANUS. 



565 



Geogr. Distr. Known only from type locality. 



Genl. Char. Smaller than 5. calij ornicus ; color darker. 



Color. Almost uniform black. 



Measurements. Length, 135; tail, 26. Skull: extreme length, 30; 

 basilar length, 28.5; interorbital constriction, 7.6; greatest mastoid 

 breadth, 15.3; lower jaw, incisive border to condyle, 22.4. 



FIG. LXXXIII. SCAPANUS ANTHONYI. ANTHONY'S MOLE. 



But two living species of the next Family are known, and 

 there are no extinct forms that can be associated with them. These 

 curious creatures are rather large animals, about the length of a big 

 house rat, but heavier, with rather long legs and claws. The snout 

 is very long, extending far beyond the mouth, and the tail is also 

 elongated. There are no spines amid the fur, which is soft, and the 

 colors are brownish black and white. The species do not seem to be 

 numerously represented, as comparatively few individuals have been 

 taken, and specimens are very rarely seen in collections. Little is 

 known of their habits, but it is stated that they will attack poultry, 

 and if pursued, imitate the Ostrich by hiding the head in the first 

 hole they find, and fancy themselves concealed. This idea may have 

 arisen from an individual trying to enter a hole too small for its body, 

 and remained only partly hidden until captured. The Cuban species 

 is found among the mountains in the interior of the island. Of the 

 Haitian species still less is known. The shape of the molar teeth 

 connect these animals with the Centetidae, of which the Tenrec, 

 Centetes caudatus, may be considered the representative. 



