THE STAR-NOSED MOLES. 165 



The Star-nosed Mole, Condylura cristata, (Plate V) is of a dark- 

 brown or blackish color ; the tail is long and hairless, and nearly as 

 long as the body without the head. 



The most remarkable point in this animal is the muzzle, which is pro- 

 duced into a long, slender proboscis, round the extremity of wliich are 

 arranged a number of soft, fleshy rays, of a bright rose-color, radiating 

 like the petals of a daisy or the tentacles of a sea-anemone. These 

 curious rays, or " caruncles," as they are more scientifically termed, can 

 be spread or closed at pleasure, and present a strange spectacle when in 

 movement. Their probable object is that they may serve as a delicate 

 organ of touch, to aid the animal in its search for food. The number of 

 these caruncles is about twenty, and the openings of the nostrils are 

 placed in the centre of the star. 



IV.— GENUS SCAPANUS. 



The tivo species of this genus extend from New York to San Fran- 

 cisco, and are mere varieties of the Scalops. 



v.— GENUS SCALOPS. 



This genus, which seems to form a link between the MOLES and the 

 Shrews, is peculiar to North America. East of the Rocky Mountains, 

 it ranges from the Great Lakes to Mexico ; but on the Pacific slope it is 

 found only to the north of Oregon. 



Its characteristics are an elongated nose, invisible eyes, five toes, 

 armed with large claws and somewhat webbed, and a naked tail. The 

 number of species well defined is three, but varieties are numerous. 



The Common Mole, Sea/ops aquatieus, (Plate V) has thirty-six teeth, 

 approaching in some points to those of the Rodentia. The eyes are very 

 small, but not covered with skin. The naked tail and webbed feet are 

 white. The body is shapeless; the claws immensely large and strong. 

 The hinder feet and legs are much smaller than the fore ones. The Mole 

 passes the greater portion of its existence below the surface of the 

 ground, and finds a subsistence among the worms and other creatures 

 which it captures during its subterraneous meanderings. The muzzle 



