WHAT IS A MAMMAL? 



ization for an insect diet) , the Family Talpidce (all the Moles) , 

 the Genus Condylura (Moles with highly-developed, fleshy 

 fringe about end of muzzle), and the Species cristata (the Star- 

 nosed Mole). Thus, step by step, the system has ruled out 

 the mammals which bear a remote relationship to the Star- 

 nosed Mole, while preserving at the same time the ties of close 

 relationship, and a definite position has been created for the 

 one species of Mole which differs from all the other Moles and 

 yet is a true Mole, an insectivore, a viviparous mammal, and 

 a mammal in the largest and most inclusive sense. When we 

 write the scientific name for the Star-nosed Mole we use only 

 the genus and species name, thus — Condylura cristata — and 

 all of the rest of it is understood, if we follow the generally 

 accepted classification. 



If there were several creatures, all obviously Star-nosed 

 Moles, but differing from one another by some comparatively 

 trivial character such as color of pelage or difference in size, 

 then in order to indicate just which one of these particular 

 varieties we had in mind it would be necessary to add some 

 thing to our two-word name, Condylura cristata, and split up 

 the species into subspecies, forming a name such as Condylura ■ 

 cristata alpha or Condylura cristata beta, or what-not, depend- 

 ing upon what name the describer of the subspecies selects. 



At the end of the scientific name of the mammal the name 

 of the describer or author of the name is written. If the 

 author's name is placed within parentheses it indicates a 

 change from the original form in which the scientific name was 

 written. 



The old criterion of a species was its inability to cross or 

 hybridize successfully with other closely related members of 

 the same large group. Proof of successful mating indicated 

 that the parents were of the same species. This test is still 

 accepted as one of the best checks against the naming of too 

 many species. On the other hand, the recognition of sub- 

 species implies that the particular variety designated by the 

 third term in the name does successfully cross with other 

 individuals which have the common characters indicated by 

 the second term of the name. To illustrate — the Eastern 

 Chipmunk is Tamias striatus which is recognized to occur as 

 five different subspecies. The typical form is Tamias striatus 

 striatus, the term striatus being repeated in the name to show 



