120 Kansas Academy of Science. 



entire area of the belly or head. The following data on color 

 markings are from the same 100 moles discussed under the head 

 of variation in size: 



Males (45 specimens) : 



Number having orange or rusty-brown markings 27 



Number marked on nose only 5 



Number suffused or washed in part 18 



Number having well-defined patches 6 



Females (55 specimens) : 



Number having orange or rusty-brown markings 23 



Number marked on nose only 12 



Number suffused or washed in part 2 



Number having well-defined patches 9 



The distribution of moles seems to depend very largely upon the 

 humidity of the climate and consequent conditions of the soil in 

 any particular region. As will be shown later, the mole thrives 

 best in a loose, moist soil abounding in grubs and earthworms. 

 The hard, compact surface earth of arid and semiarid regions is 

 not at all inviting to an animal that must make its living by plow- 

 ing along beneath the feet of the more favored creatures that crop 

 the grass. Though able, perhaps, to burrow wherever an earth- 

 worm can burrow, the mole could not thrive and maintain its num- 

 bers in regions where these worms were few and small in size. 



The map exhibited gives the distribution of the genus 

 Scalops. Two other genera, Condylura and Parascalops, occupy 

 portions of this same territory. Between the shaded area on the 

 map and a narrow strip bordering the Pacific coast there are said 

 to be no moles. This statement must be taken with some reserva- 

 tion, however, for moles are to be found in decreasing numbers on 

 the lowlands along the watercourses as far west, at least, as the 101st 

 meridian. On a recent trip through the western part of Kansas I 

 made careful search for evidences of moles in favorable spots along 

 the Saline, the Smoky Hill and the Arkansas rivers and their tribu- 

 taries. At Wilson, on the Saline, moles were fairly common in 

 cultivated fields and gardens. They were also reported from the 

 Experiment Station grounds at Hays. At Oakley I could find no 

 traces of the animal, nor could I learn by inquiry of any resident 

 who had ever seen one there. On the Smoky Hill I learned of a 

 mole having been taken occasionally as far west as Logan countj', 

 but could find no traces of their work myself. Residents on the 

 river at Wallace assert that there are no moles in the country. At 

 Garden City, on the Arkansas, moles were sufficiently numerous to 

 be troublesome in lawns. A specimen taken at Great Bend did not 

 seem to diflFer in any respect from those collected at Manhattan. 



