Star-nosed Mole 



1141 



With the help of a commodious cage I made a number 

 of observations. When put in deep water he swam swiftly 

 and strongly. He progressed largely by the sculling action of 

 his tail, but also swam with all four feet, striking alternately, 

 never by striking with both hind-feet at once, as most truly 

 aquatic quadrupeds do occasionally. He did not dive, and 



Nasal Disk of Condylura. 

 (Twice natural size.) 



Lower surface. 

 2 — Snout of Condylura cristata. (Natural size.) 

 rcom True. Proc. U. S. N. M.. XIX, 1897. 



always endeavoured to get out of the water as quickly as pos- 

 sible. His fur got very wet and there was little to suggest 

 adaptation to a truly aquatic life. 



He climbed fairly well in the corner of the cage where 

 helped by the wire netting, but could not get up where the 

 corner was of rough boards. While hanging from the wires 

 his hind-feet were his chief support, but he was greatly helped 

 by the tail, which was held woodpecker-fashion tight against 

 the wall. He was much less of a climber than, for example, 

 the Microtus. 



In the middle of each day he curled up and slept for two 

 or three hours. At night he was very active. 



When given a pile of loose earth in which were many 

 worms he showed great delight, and dived again and again 

 through the pile, sometimes coming out with a worm, and 

 suggested an Otter diving in a salmon river. 



