102 CARNIVORA. 



impression that the tail is &quot; knobbed.&quot; There is but one spe 

 cies well known, cristata, (crested,) found in various parts of the 

 United States. The nostrils are surrounded by movable carti 

 laginous points that radiate like a star wlien expanded. The 

 color is brownish black above, a shade lighter beneath. The 

 head is remarkably large ; the body thick and short, growing 

 narrower towards the tail, which is smaller at the root, large in 

 the middle, and tapering to a fine point at the tip ; the fur on the 

 body is very fine, soft and shining. The shape of the body 

 resembles that of the common shrew mole, and it is similar in 

 its habits. 



The BANXRINGS, (Tupaida,) of Sumatra and Java, are remark 

 able insectivorous animals. They are nocturnal, and squirrel- 

 like in their appearance and habits. 



QUESTIONS ON THE INSECTIYORA. 



How many families does the INSECTIVORA include ? On what do they 

 feed ? What is said of their motions and habits ? Where are the true 

 Hedge-hogs found ? Where others ? How are they self-defended ? How 

 do they conceal themselves ? How is the day spent ? When does it seek 

 its food? How act when pursued? For what is it useful? Where is the 

 Tenrec found ? What is it called ? How covered ? What are its habits ? 

 What its size ? How many species ? Give their names and derivation. To 

 what order have Shrews commonly been referred? How are they distin 

 guished from mice ? How do they tread ? What have they upon the side 

 of the body ? What is said of their cry ? To what places do Water Shrews 

 resort ? What do they use for food ? What is said of their watching for 

 minnows? What effect has their fur upon the water? How is the shrew 

 distinguished from the mouse ? What is its color ? For what is it well 

 adapted ? What is said of the Water Shrew ? What of the Russian Musk 

 Rat? What of the Scalop ? For what kind of life is the mole formed? 

 Describe the animal. How does it obtain its food? What is said of its ex 

 cavations ? How are its fore feet constructed ? What is remarkable about 

 the ear ? What is said of the sight and smell ? In what part of the body 

 is the strength concentrated ? Give particulars as to its structure. Wherein 

 does it give proof of divine care? Why does it leave its subterranean 

 abode ? In what respect is it unlike the dormouse or marmot ? What is 

 said of its nest ? What of its abilities to fast ? Why do agriculturists com 

 plain of the mole ? What benefits does it confer upon the farmer ? From 

 what is the term Condylura derived ? Was it rightly given ? Why is this 

 animal called Crested or Star-nosed? Describe it. What is said of its 

 shape and habits? What is said of the Banxrings? 



OBS. Here, at the close of the order CARNIVORA, and every other order, 

 let the teacher have a general review, naming the sub-orders, tracing out 

 the genera, families, &c., giving the specific name to each as he describes 

 the animal, pointing them out when on the chart, telling all he can remem 

 ber about them, either from the book or chart. If he omits anything, let it 

 be mentioned by other members of the class. No pupil should ever be per 

 mitted to pass the name of a person, or place, or even a word, without 

 knowing who the person was, where the place is, and what the word means. 



