38 BULLETIN NO. VII. 



CHAPTER III. 

 ORDER INSECTIVORA. 



MOLES AND SHREWS. 



FIG. 2. Macroscelides typicus, an insectivorous animal from Africa. 



In this group we have not only the smallest but the oldest of 

 placental mammals and those, for many reasons, particularly 

 interesting to naturalists. Our most familiar representatives 

 of the Insectivora are very mouse-like in appearance and to the 

 natural association so brought about is due the persistent and 

 reasonless persecution which they suffer at the hands of the 

 farmer. The external resemblance is in this case, as so often, 

 quite misleading. In habits and structure the Insectivora are 

 more like bats than the mice. 



In the words of Carl Vogt, ' 'One may, indeed, say with truth 

 that they continue on and under the earth, yes, and even in the 

 water, the persistent hunt for insects, snails, and all possible 

 vermin begun by the bats in the air. " The largest animal of 

 the group is little larger than a squirrel while the external 

 form varies greatly. Some species are adapted solely to a sub- 

 terranean existence, and by the great development of the ante- 

 rior extremities and the reduction of the sense of vision are 



