68 THE GEOGRAPHY OF MAMMALS 



in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. An allied genus 

 (Plagiodon) with one species, differing from Caproinys 

 only in a slight modification of the teeth, is found in 

 Hayti. It is obviously derived from the same stock. A 

 peculiar species of agouti {Dasyprocta cristata) is found 

 in two of the Lesser Antilles — St. Vincent and St. Thomas ; 

 the other members of this genus belong to the mainland 

 of Central and South America. The only other Order of 

 terrestrial Mammals represented in this Sub-region is the 

 Insectivora, and this is the more remarkable because, as 

 already shown, one of the special characters of the Neo- 

 tropical Region is the almost complete absence of this 

 group within its limits. The West Indian representatives 

 of this group are two in number, and belong to a peculiar 

 genus (Solenodon), which is of rather doubtful affinities 

 but of family rank. It is allied in some respects to the 

 moles (Talpidte), and in others to a peculiar Malagasian 

 family, the Tenrecs (Centetidse). The Solenodonts are 

 small creatures with a somewhat shrew-like aspect, a long 

 snout, and a long naked tail. There are two representative 

 species of this genus confined to the islands of Hayti and 

 Cuba respectively. 



The Bats of the Antillean islands, as would naturally 

 be expected, are somewhat more abundant than the terres- 

 trial mammals. There have been recorded by naturalists 

 about thirty species belonging to some twenty genera as 

 found in the different islands, the greater number being 

 from Cuba and Jamaica. On examining the list, it will be 

 found that of these twenty genera three only seem to be con- 

 fined to the West Indian Region, while thirteen are spread 

 over the greater part of the Neotropical Region, one belongs to 

 the Nearetic Region, and the others are of wider distribution. 



