50 TALPIDiE. 



systematists ; Blyth vemoves tliem to the end of the Carnivora. This 

 interrupts the series perhaps more than tlie generally adopted plan. 



The Insectivorous mammals may be divided into Taljndce^ or Moles ; 

 Sorecidce, Shrews ; Erimtceidce, Hedgehogs ; and Tupaiadm, or Tree 

 Shrews ; all of which have representatives in India. 



Fam. Talpid^, Moles. 



Body, hairy. Fore feet, large, fossorial, with large claws. External 

 ears, none. Eyes, very minute. Tail, short or none. 



Moles ai'e better known in Europe than in India, where they are only 

 represented on the Eastern Himalayas, and the Khasia hills. The body 

 is short and thick ; the legs short and strong, and the muzzle lengthened. 

 The shovel-like hand of the mole is furnished with a curved prolongation 

 of one of the carpal bones, called the falciform bone, which gives addi- 

 tional strength to the hand. The structure of their foi^e feet is beautifully 

 adapted for burrowing, being broad and furnished with strong lai^ge 

 claws, supplied by very powerful muscles. The hind feet are compara- 

 tively small and week. The eyes are very minute, and in some cases not 

 discernible, the skin over them not being pierced. The tympanum of 

 the ear is lai'ge, but there is no external ear, though the sense of hearing 

 is very acute. The hairs of their fur are set on vertically, and hence 

 have no pai-ticular grain or direction, and can be smoothed down in any 

 direction, so that in moving backwards in their runs, the hairs lie equally 

 smooth as when advancing. Moles are quite subterraneous in their 

 habits, being very rarely seen above ground. They live chiefly on worms 

 and insects, to find which they burrow most extensively. They are found 

 in Europe, Asia, North America, and a peculiar section in Africa. 



Gen. Talpa, Linnreus. 



Char. — Incisors, apparently _ or - ; molars, or ^i ; but of 



' ^^ -^6 8' ' 7—7 7—7 



these the first false upper molars, and the outermost pair of lower in- 

 cisors represent the canine teeth. Nose, lengthened, truncated at the 

 point. Eyes, veiy small, in some the integument not pierced. Tail, very 

 short or wanting. Anterior feet turned outwards, with the toes con- 

 nected or palmate, and with very strong claws. 



True moles are found in Europe and Asia, and, in our province, are 

 restricted to the South- oast ])ortion of the Himalayas. 



