THE ETHIOPIAN REGION 115 



Five out of the eighteen genera of Rodents found in 

 this Sub-region are endemic. Two of these belong to the 

 Mouse-family (Muridie), and two more to a burrowing 

 family (Spalacidw) ; the fifth (Petromys) belongs to the 

 family Octodontidsv, which the Ethiopian shares with the 

 Neotropical Region. 



The South African Sub-region, however, is especially 

 remarkable for the large number of peculiar genera of 

 Carnivora. Five of these genera have been formed for 

 the reception of a number of small animals allied to the 

 Indian Mongoose. Another, for which a separate family 

 has been created, contains only the Aard-wolf (Proteles), an 

 animal nearly allied to the hyenas, but with very small 

 and rudimentary teeth, and a heavy mane of long hair. 

 It is nocturnal, and feeds principally on carrion, being too 

 weak to attack other living animals. The Otocyon, or 

 Cape Hunting-dog, which constitutes another peculiar 

 genus, is remarkable for having a greater number of molar 

 teeth than any other mammal. Owing to this, it has been 

 regarded by Professor Huxley as the most primitive of all 

 existing members of its Family. Out of the six genera of 

 Insectivora found in this Sub-region three are endemic. 

 Of these the most interesting is the genus Chrysochloris, 

 which forms a distinct Family, and comprises no less than 

 eight species. These animals are sometimes known as 

 " Golden Moles," owing to the brilliant metallic lustre of 

 their fur. They are in some respects allied to the Cen- 

 tetidze, a family mentioned above as confined to Madagascar; 

 but they are modified for a burrowing life, and externally 

 resemble the Moles. Neither of the two remaining Orders, 

 the Bats and the Monkeys, is represented by peculiar 

 genera in the Cape Sub-region. This, however, is quite 



