TALPA MICRUBA. 51 



67. Talpa micrura. 



HODGSON, J. A. S. X. 910. BLYTH, Cat. T. m/ptara, BLYTH. Skull 

 figd. J. A. S. XIX. 217. Parian, Lepch. Biyu-kantyem, Bhot. 



THE SHORT-TAILED MOLE. 



Descr. Uniform velvet-black, with a silvery-gray gloss, iridescent 

 when moist ; snout, nude ; feet and tail fleshy-white, the last very 

 minute. 



Length, 4J to 5 inches ; tail, T \ths, sometimes less ; head alone, If ; 

 palm with claws, ^ths. 



There is no perforation of the integument over the eye. There are 

 three small upper praemolars between the quasi-canine tooth and the 

 large scissor-toothed praemolar, which is much developed. Blyth states 

 that Darjeeling specimens almost want the tail, but that those from 

 Nepal have it. Some I procured at Darjeeling, however, had the tail 

 well marked. 



This mole is not uncommon at Darjeeling, and many of the roads and 

 pathways in the station are intersected by its runs, which often proceed 

 from the base of some mighty oak-tree to that of another. If these runs 

 be broken down or holes made in them, they are generally repaired during 

 the night. The moles do not appear to form mole-hills as in Europe. 

 The Lepchas do not know how to set mole-traps, and the few specimens 

 I procured at Darjeeling were picked up early in the morning on the 

 ground or in ditches. 



68. Talpa macrura. 



HODGSON, J. A. S. XXVII. 176. Cat. Hodgson's Coll. 82. 

 THE LONG-TAILED MOLE. 



Descr. Deep slaty-blue, with canescent gloss, iridescent when wet. 

 Tail cylindric, pretty well covered with soft hairs, which extend a little 

 beyond the tip. 



Length, 4 inches ; tail (with the hair), 1J; head, 1J; palm, |ths. This 

 species differs most conspicuously from the previous one by its long tail. 

 It was procured in Sikim by Hodgson. 



Blyth has described Talpa leucura, from Sylhet and Tenasserim, dif- 

 fering from micrura in only having two small praemolars between the 



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