148 INSECTIVORA. 



The animals of this order exhibit remarkable deficiencies and remark- 

 able developments of particular parts. The body as a rule is compact, 

 the head long, the nose prolonged into a snout : the limbs, with the 

 exception of the tail, and, in some species, of the hind-leg, are shortened 

 excessively ; the clothing of the body varies from the velvety skin of the 

 mole to the sharp, stiff, erectile spines which defend the hedgehog. 

 Their limbs are adapted for walking, swimming, and digging. They are 

 all plantigrade, that is, in walking they apply the whole sole of the foot 

 to the ground. 



Their intelligence is verv slight ; they are dull, shy, and distrustful, 

 loving solitude, yet of violent tempers. Most of them live a subterranean 

 life, but some frequent the waters, some the trees. Their astonishing 

 energy is an essential check on the increase of worms and insects, and 

 even of the smaller rodents. 



A look at the jaws of an insectivorous animal immediatel}' con- 

 vinces us that the creature is carnivorous to a greater degree than such 

 Carnivora as cats or dogs. The jaws bristle with pointed teeth, 

 daggerlike spears take the place of canines, and sharp pyramids resem- 

 bling a double saw complete their dentition. The whole striicture is 

 formed to seize and hold fast even hard-shelled insects like cock- 

 chafers. The jaw^s of a shrew-mouse enlarged to the size of a lion's, 

 would be far more terrible and appalling in the ferocity of their appear- 

 ance. 



In spite of the benefits conferred on us by these creatures in destroy- 

 ing our insect pests, the prejudice of man accuses them of divers imag- 

 inary crimes. In England the shrew is considered venomous, and every 

 village has a mole-catcher. 



Many of the IxSECTlV0R.\ hibernate. As cold approaches thousands 

 upon thousands of the victims destined to feed the members of this 

 order, are removed from their clutches. Hence, as the Insectivora 

 cannot, like the birds, migrate in quest of food, they are providentially 

 given the faculty of hibernation. Of course, those that prey on crea- 

 tures which do not disappear in winter, have no need to pass the 

 cold season in torpid slumber. 



We follow the latest authorities in classing the animals of this order 

 in nine families, and commence with the family of the FLYING LEMURS or 

 COLUGOS, which present a striking resemblance to the " Flying Foxes," 

 and seem to form an intermediate link of transition. 



