NO. 1101. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MVSEUM. 19 



crowned incisors of the shrews. In this latter character Gondylnra 

 shows, perhaps, the nearest approach to the shrews, but it is neverthe- 

 less a true mole. 



Genus SCALOPS Cuvier, lUiger. 



Scalops, CuviER, Lefons d'Anat. Comp., I, 1800 (Tableau Gon. Classif. Anim.). 



(No description or type.) 

 "Scalops, Cuvier," Illiger, Prodromus Syst. Mamm. et Avium., 1811, p. 126. 



Type: Sorex aquaficus, Linnseus. 

 Talpasorex, Lesson, Manuel de Mamnialogie, 1827, p. 124. Based on Harlan's 



Scalops pennsylvanica. (Not Talpasorex, iicni^z.) 



Skull with marked interorbital constriction. Palate extending back 

 behind the last molars. Tympanic bulhe complete. Pelvis with two 

 bony bridges connecting the sacral vertebra' with the ischium. Func- 

 tional dentition: i, |; c, ^; pm, |; m, |. First upper incisor very large; 

 second and third minute. Molars with a narrow, simple anterior inter- 

 nal basal ledge. Nostrils simple, superior. Fore and hind toes webbed. 

 Manus with an as fdlciforme. 



This genus was the first of the American forms to be separated from 

 the comprehensive Old World genus Talpa. Though given a name in 

 1800 by Cuvier, it was not really characterized until 1811, when Illiger 

 gave a diagnosis and specified a type. It has been generally considered 

 as not nearly allied to the Pacific Coast genus Scapanus, on account of 

 the differences in dentition. I have found, however, that these differ- 

 ences are not so great as has been supposed, while on the other hand 

 the skeleton and skull present very great similarities in contrast with 

 the genus ParascaJops. 



The genus is distinguishable by external characters, of which the 

 principal are the webbed condition of the forefeet and the superior 

 position of the nostrils. 



SCALOPS AQUATICUS (Linnaeus). 



EASTERN MOLE. 



Sorex aquaticus, Linn.eus, Syst. Nat., 10th ed., 1758, p. 53. 



Talpa europiea flavescens, Erxleben, Syst. Reg. Anim., 1777, p. 118. 



Talpa europcea, flai-a, Gmelin, Linn. Syst. Nat., 1788, p. 110. 



Talpa flara, Kerr, Anim. King., 1792, p. 201. 



Talpa fiisca, Kerr, Auim. King., 1792, p. 202; Shaw, Gen'l Zool., I, 1800, p. 524. 



Scalops canadensis, Desmarest, Mammalogie, 1 part., 1820, p. 155. — Harlan, 



Fauna Amer., 1825, p. 32. 

 Scalops pennsiilvanica, Harlan, Fauna Amer., 1825, p. 33. 

 Scalops aquaticus, F. Cuvier, Dents des Manim., 182.5, p. 251, No. 22. — Fischer, 



Synop. Mamm., 1829, p. 249. 

 Talpa (Scalops) V'lrginiana, De Blainville, Osteographie, Atlas, I, 1839-1864, 



table des planches, p. 4; Insectivores, pi. V (skull), pi. IX (teeth). 

 Talpa pemmntii, Le Conte, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., VI, 1853, p. 327. 

 TaVjja aquatica, Le Conte, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila., VI, 1853, p. 327. 

 Talpa cupreata, Rafinesque, Precis des decouv. et travaux somiologiques, 



Palermo, 1814, p. 14. 

 "Purple species," Harris, New England Farmer. [Fide Le Conte.] 



