38 BULLETIN NO. VII. 
CHAPTER III. 
ORDER INSHCTIV OLA. 
MOLES AND SHREWS. 

Fia. 2. Macroscelides typicus, an insectivorous animal from Africa. 
In this group we have not only the smallest but the oldest of 
placental mammals and those, for many reasons, particularly 
interesting to naturalists. Our most familiar representatives 
of the Insectivora are very mouse-like in appearance and to the 
natural association so brought about is due the persistent and 
reasonless persecution which they suffer at the hands of the 
farmer. The external resemblance is in this case, as so often, 
quite misleading. In habits and structure the Insectivora are 
more like bats than the mice. 
In the words of Carl Vogt, ‘‘One may, indeed, say with truth 
that they continue on and under the earth, yes, and even in the 
water, the persistent hunt for insects, snails, and all possible 
vermin begun by the bats in the air.” The largest animal of 
the group is little larger than a squirrel while the external 
form varies greatly. Some species are adapted solely to a sub- 
terranean existence, and by the great development of the ante- 
rior extremities and the reduction of the sense of vision are 
