72 U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



Talpa radiata, SHAW, Gen. Zool. Mamm. I, 1800, 523. 

 Sorex radiattu, SHAW, Gen. Zool. Mamm. I, 1800, 531; pi- cxxx. 

 Condylura longicaudata, DESM., Mamm. I, 1820, 158. 

 HARLAN, F. A. 1825, 38. 

 GRirr.Cuv. V, 1827, 110. 

 RICH. F. B. A. I 1829, 13. 

 FISCHER, Syn. 1829, 248. 

 GICBEL, Saugt. 1855, 891. 



Rhinaster longicaudata, WAGNER, Suppl Schreb. II, 1841, 116. 

 Talpa longicauda, BODD. Elench. Anim. I, 1784, 126. 

 Condylura macroura, HARLAN, F. A. 1825, 39. 

 FISCHER, Syn. 1829, 248. 

 THOMPSON, Nat. Hist. Vt. 1842, 28. 

 ?? RICH. F. B. A. I, 1829, 234. 



?? WAGNER, in Schreber, Saugt. Ill; pi. clvi, A (interpolated from Rich.) 

 ?? Rhinasler macroura, WAGNER, Suppl. Schreb. II, 1841, 115. 

 ?? Condylura prasinata, HARRIS, Bost. Jour. Philos. &. Arts. II, 1825, 582 (Maine.) 



Radiated mole, PENNANT, Syn. Quad. 1771, 313. IB. Hist Quad. 1781, No. 351. IB. Ar.ttic Zool. I, 1784, 140. 



(Sp. in Leverian Mus.) % 



Long tailed mole, PENN. Syn. 1771, 314. IB. Quad. I, 1781, 486; Arctic Zool. (2d ed.) I, 1784, 140. 



g r . CM. Tail about as long as body, exclusive of head; color dark-brownish black. 



The Star-nosed mole has the general form of the moles, in the thick-set and clumsy hody, 

 large palms, &c., as in Scalops. There is no distinction of neck, but the head tapers rapidly 

 at first from the occiput, then more gently to the very much attenuated snout. The muzzle, 

 however, is much thicker than in Scalops ; its tip is truncated perpendicular to its axis, and the 

 margins are extended into a fringe of star-shaped processes, 22 in number, around the circum 

 ference, the longest (lateral) measuring about .20 of an inch, and distant ,35 of an inch from 

 the centre of the nose. These radiated fringes are symmetrically arranged, eleven on each side, 

 and though varying in length, preserving the bilateral symmetry. The upper on either side 

 have their roots a little further forward than the rest, or nearer the nostrils, which are a little 

 below their thickened base. The nostrils are circular, entirely terminal, in the centre of the 

 snout, and separated by about one-tenth of an inch. The whole terminal portion of the muzzle 

 is naked, including a small space behind the nasal fringes on the upper surface. 



On the under surface of the muzzle there is a furrow very deep and short, reaching from the 

 incisors to the tip of the nose. In fact this furrow is formed by the meeting of one on either 

 side, which separates the lips from the gums and teeth ; exterior to this, and parallel with it, 

 is a second furrow, which separates a labium on either side, reaching from the angle of the 

 mouth to within one-twelfth of an inch of the end of the muzzle. 



The eyes are diminutive, but distinct, with an appreciable palpebral opening, nearly the 

 twentieth of an inch in diameter. It is proportionally as large as in most shrews, and doubt 

 less serves a visual purpose. It is situated about midway between the end of the nose and the 

 centre of the meatus. 



There is no external ear projecting above the surface of the skin, but the meatus is very large, 

 placed obliquely and nearly parallel with the top of the head. It is oval, about .30 of an inch 

 in its long diameter, and half as much the other way ; an antitragus and antihelix-valve are very 

 distinct, mostly seen below the level of the meatus ; and the auricle itself may be considered as 

 indicated by a sharp edge of the skin. The superior and inferior extremities of the small antihelix 

 are united with the posterior edges of the meatus, so as to form a small aperture, or cul de sac. 



