l66 INSECTIVORA. 



of the American is even more remarkable than that of the European 

 Mole, being much longer in proportion to the size of the animal, and is 

 cartilaginous at its extremity. The length of the animal is about seven 

 inches. They come to the surface daily at the hour of noon, and caii 

 then be caught by thrusting a spade underneath them. Mr. Peale had 

 a tame one which followed his hand by the scent, and fed freely on fresh 

 meat. It would burrow for amusement ui loose earth, and after mak- 

 ing a small circle, return to its keeper. 



The Prairie Mole, Sea/ops nrgcntatiis, is very similar to the Com- 

 mon Mole, but it is rather larger, and its fur is lead-colored. 



The Hairy-tailed Mole, Scalops Brcwcrii, differs by possessing a 

 tail densely covered with hair, a membranous covering over the eye, and 

 large ear openings. In color it resembles the Prairie Mole. Other 

 varieties are the Oregon Mole, Scalops Townsendii, and the Broad- 

 HANDED Mole, Scalops latinianus. 



VI.— GENUS MYOGALE. 



The two species of this genus are widely separated, one being found 

 in the Pyrenees, the other in Southeast Russia. The animals compre- 

 hended in them are specially organized for an aquatic existence. The 

 hind-paws are palmated, and their tail is flattened at a certain portion of 

 its length, in such a manner as to play the part of an oar. Their eyes 

 are very small, and their ears scarcely visible. The body is elongated 

 and covered with silky hair of an iridescent hue. At the base of the tail 

 are numerous glands, which exhale an excessively penetrating odor. The 

 nose is terminated by a small, compressed trunk ; the paws are formed of 

 five toes, and are furnished with strong claws. 



The Pyrenean Desman, Myogalc pyrmaa, which the Spaniards call 

 Almizilero, or the " Musky Rat," attains a length of ten inches, of which 

 one-half belongs to the tail. It is chestnut-brown above, brownish-gray 

 on the sides, silver-gray on the belly, white on the snout, the tail dark- 

 brown, with some white hairs. This creature has been found not only 

 in the Pyrenees, but in the Sierra de Gredos, and is probably common 

 to all North Spain. 



The Russian Desman, Mjoga/c mosc/iaftr, {Plate V) is nearly twice 

 as long as its Spanish congener. The eyes are small, the auditory 



