ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



CHAPTER I. 



LIMITATION OF SPECIES CENTRES OF CREATION FACTS AND FIC- 

 TIONFAUNA OF AMERICA OBJECT OF THIS WORK BATS 

 THEIR HABITS THE SHREW-MOLE ANECDOTE THE STAR-NOSED 

 MOLE THE SHREW-MOUSE. 



One of the most remarkable things that strikes even a 

 casual observer, in taking a view of the Animal kingdom, is 

 the manner in which species are distributed over the globe ; 

 but to understand this, it is necessary to look at the different 

 influences which circumstances exercise over them. Each 

 division of the world has a fauna (or group of animals) 

 peculiar to itself, characterized by some remarkable species 

 found there only. This has been termed the " limitation or 

 colonization" of species, and has given rise to many theories ; 

 one affirming that each race originated in the spot destined 

 for it ; another, that the same country saw the birth of every 

 distinct race, which, migrating, and leaving no trace of their 

 passage, colonized as it were, eastward and westward, and in 

 the island groups of the Southern Ocean, as either place 

 was best adapted for their development ; while some again, 

 maintain that there was originally but one form created, from 

 which all others have risen ad infinitum, being so changed 

 by climate and circumstances, as to eventually cause distinct 



