THE TRUE MOLES 341 



tunnels, but in pasture land they work at a lower level. In both these respects 

 they resemble the common European mole, with which they also agree in that, 

 during the late autumn, when the surface of the ground becomes frozen, they fol- 

 low the worms downward until a plane is reached where the frost has not pene- 

 trated. By following the ridge of loose earth which marks the progress of one of 

 these moles in a garden, and quickly sinking a spade in the creature's path, a few 

 inches in advance of the moving earth, it is frequently possible to turn a specimen 

 out upon the surface. So quickly, however, do these animals pass through the soft 

 soil of a garden, that the spade, although aimed several inches in front of the mov- 

 ing earth, will not unfrequently cut them in two. 



Although the precise function of the peculiar disc of tentacles round the muzzle 

 is not yet definitely ascertained, it appears highly probable that it acts as a sensitive 

 organ of touch to aid its owner in discovering the whereabouts of the worms and 

 insects encountered during its subterranean wanderings. In the newly-born young 

 these tentacles are so small as to be scarcely perceptible. A nest examined by Dr. 

 Merriam contained three young ones. 



THE TRUE MOLES 

 Genus Talpa 



The Old World moles may be at once distinguished from all their North 

 American cousins by having the first upper incisor tooth scarcely larger than the 

 second. With the exception of a single species from Eastern Tibet, the whole of the 

 Old World moles are included in the genus Talpa, of which the typical represen- 

 tative is the common European mole (T. europcza}. The members of this genus, 

 nine in number, are distributed over temperate Europe and Asia, two of the Asiatic 

 species being found to the south of the Hima- 

 layas. As a rule, there is the typical number 

 of forty-four teeth, but a few of the species have 

 not quite so many, owing to the loss either of the 

 lower canine tooth or of the first upper premolar ; 

 while in one species the first premolar is wanting 

 in both jaws. All are characterized by the width 

 of the fore- foot UPPER AND I.OWER SURFACE OF 



RIGHT FORE -FOOT OF MOLE. 



As we entered at considerable length into 



the structure and habits of some of the American moles, our remarks on those of 

 the Old World may be comparatively brief, as there is a great similarity between 

 the two. It is remarkable that, as the European hedgehog differs from all the 

 other species of its genus, so the European mole is distinguished from all its con- 

 geners by the absence, of a membrane covering the eyes. Nearly or all the moles 

 are normally black in color, with a more or less pronounced grayish lustre when 

 viewed in certain lights ; but pied, buff, or white varieties are not very uncommon. 

 The naked feet are flesh colored. The different species of moles show considerable 



