224 TALPID^. 



Dentition : i. J, c. g-, pm. jj or g, m. jg}. The incisors 

 are chisel-shaped, and arranged in a semicircular row, as in most 

 other Mammalia (but not generally in the Insectivora), the median 

 upper pair slightly larger than the others. Upper canines long, 

 conical, double-rooted. Three anterior upper premolars (two in 

 T. leucuni) small, subequal, double-rooted, the fourth larger, with 

 three roots, followed by three large molars. Lower canines un- 

 distinguishable from incisors ; first lower premolar large, resem- 

 bling a canine, the next two small, the fourth again larger. 



Vertebra : C. 7, D. 13, L. 6, S. 5, C. 8-12. Mammae 6. 



Moles are more completely fitted for a subterranean life than 

 any other known mammals, the whole organism being adapted for 

 burrowing. Three species have been recorded from the Hima- 

 layas, Khasi Hills, arid Burma. 



Synopsis of Indian and Burmese Species. 

 Tail subcylindrical, one fourth length of head and 

 body ; pm. -^^ T. europaa, p. 224. 



Tail very short, concealed by the fur ; pm. ^^ . . T. micrura, p. 225. 

 Tail club-shaped, about one twelfth of total length ; 



pm. |^| T. leucura, p. 22G. 



111. Talpa europaea. The European Mole. 



Talpa europeea, L. Syst. Nat. i, p. 73 (1766) ; Dobson, Mon. Ins. 



p. 137. 

 Talpa macrura, Hodgs. J, A. S. B. xxvii, p. 176; Jerdon, Mam. 



p. 51. 



Tail about one fourth to one fifth the length of the head and 

 body, slender, nearly of the same thickness throughout, clad with 

 hair. Feet thinly clad with hair above. 



The fourth upper premolar without any distinct internal basal 

 process. The fourth lower premolar decidedly smaller than the 

 first. 



Colour. Black, varying to bluish black or sooty black, and occa- 

 sionally to grey, yellow or even white. The basal portion of the 

 hairs is dark leaden grey, the extreme tips often more or less grey. 

 There is scarcely any difference in tint between the upper and 

 lower parts. 



Dimensions. In an adult European male, head and body 5'5 

 inches, tail 1-35, fore foot and claws 0-9 long, 0'7 broad, hind foot 

 and claws 0-85 long. Basal length of skull 1-25, total length 1-4. 



The type of Mr. Hodgson's T. macrura measured : head and 

 body 4 inches, tail 1J without hair, 1| with, forefoot and nails |. 

 These measurements were perhaps taken on the skin. 



Distribution. The greater portion of the Palsearctic region from 

 England to Japan. There are specimens from the Altai mountains 

 in the British Museum. A solitary example was procured by Mr. 



