56 BULLETIN NO. VII. 
Only a partial synonomy is given, but enough to indicate the 
attention which this strange species has received at the hands 
of naturalists. Although probably measurably common, this 
species is very rarely seen. Only one specimen was secured 
during the progress of the survey, and the Indian who secured 
it stated that it was the first one he had seen, although he 
evinced great familiarity with even the smaller animals. 
The specimen, a male with thickened tall, measured as fol- 
lows: Length to tail, 4,5,; tail,3,,; nose to base of fore foot, 
12; palm, #; longest fore claw, ,°;; hind foot, 1,4. The color 
above was black with a shade os vandyke brown, below a just 
perceptible tinge of reddish brown, with a ferrugineous suffu- 
sion. Here and there are rusty splotches, especially under the 
throat and thighs, tail and feet reddish flesh color; former fusi- 
form, constricted at the base. Claws straw-yellow. 
In general form this species closely resembles the common 
mole, being clumsy, neckless, and with enlarged palms. The 
snout is thicker than in the mole, and its smooth terminal por- 
tion extends into a fimbriated margin; the radiating cartilag- 
inous processes numbering from 20 to 22. These processes are 
about a quarter of an inchlong. The nostrils are terminal and 
circular and the muzzle is furrowed below. The eyes are small, 
but distinctly visible, and are midway between the muzzle and 
the ear. The external ear is limited to two small valve-like 
flaps. The tail is fusiform, and covered with scales which have 
an annular arrangement between which are sparse hairs. 
The palms are fringed with stiff hair, and the outer edges 
of the front toes are produced into horny processes. ~ 
The star-nosed mole is distributed from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific in suitable situations, but seems to be most at home 
between 40° to 45° N. latitude. Moist meadows furnish the con- 
ditions best suited to this species, and there it may sometimes 
be found in considerable numbers in company with Scalops 
aquaticus, in the habits of which it shares, feeding on grubs 
and the like. The breeding chamber is placed beneath the 
protection of a stump, but little is known of the habits. 
Osteology: The skull is more slender than in Scalops, and 
the auditory openings and bulle# resemble the shrews. Denti- 
tion #, 4, 4, $x2—44. The upper incisors project horizontally 
and are approximate; these are followed by a filiform tooth, 
and this by a canine-like tooth with a small spur posteriorly. 
After a hiatus comes a small canine. 

