FROM MOLETOWN TO BATVILLE 



395 



West, that contests with a tiny pocket mouse the honor 

 of being the 'least beast' on our Mammal tree. This 

 is the Least Shrew, who measures only a trifle over two 

 inches in length. When we tliink of the length of a 

 Whale, and tliat both Shrew and Whale are living 

 Mammals, belonging either on American soil or in 

 American waters, our Mammal tree seems to bear the 



The Least Shrew 



most wonderful fruit of which our country can boast. 

 I hope that many children may follow us in our climb, 

 as far as they are able, without being made dizzy by 

 trying to explore the maze of the smaller branches and 



twigs. 



" Look at your Bat; he has eaten the shreds of meat I 

 gave him. I will take him out and spread his wings for 

 you to see. It is always better to follow Nature's plan 

 and travel upward instead of downward ; so let us go up 



