258 Mammals of Eastern Asia 
are much reduced ; and the external ear is obsolete. In the fore- 
foot the third claw is the biggest, the fourth considerably 
shorter and very stout, while the second, though not so short, 
is much slenderer. 
The species occurring in China are M. myospalax, M. 
ormandia, M. fontanierii, M. rothschildi, and M. smithii. The 
first of these, represented by a special race, psilurus, is the only 
Fig. 58. Cricetine Mole Rat, Myospalax myospalax. 
species likely to be encountered in the extreme East. It occurs in 
Jehol, Hopei, and Shantung. In eastern Siberia M. dybowski 
is found, and in southern Manchuria M. komurai. Myospalax 
m. psilurus lives in the Kinghan Mountains, Manchuria. 
The color in M. m. psilurus is reddish gray above, slightly 
paler below ; the cheeks and forehead are ashy fawn ; there is a 
small white spot on the back of the head. The length of the 
head and body is approximately 10 inches, tail 1% inches, 
hind foot, with claw, a little less than 2 inches. M. komurai is 
much smaller, the same set of measurements being 8 1 /o inches, 
1% inches, 1*4 inches. 
These are savage little animals and powerful diggers, making 
galleries that may attain lengths of 40 meters. The diet consists 
of roots and grain. 
