50 BULLETIN NO. VII. 



uncanny about them, and figured to a greater or less extent in 

 the witchcraft of the time. 



The moles are solitary, except during the breeding season, 

 which is a period of unrest and ceaseless quarrels. 



The fact that the genera are restricted to the respective con- 

 tinents where they are found, would seem to indicate that the 

 fossorial habit is a preventive of ready distribution, and that 

 the forms are endemic. South America is without moles, as 

 well as other Insectivora. 



The geographical distribution may be gathered from the 

 brief systematic outline given below.* 



In the moles the skull is flattened pyriform and shrew-like, 

 but differs obviously in the possession of perfect zygomatic 

 arches and enclosed bony tympanic bulla. There is no distinct 

 post-glenoid process ; the cervical vertebra have no hypaph- 

 ophyses ; sternum with a strongly keeled manubrium ; scapula 

 narrow, longer than whole arm ; clavicle very short ; humerus 

 enormously enlarged ; carpus with an os intermedium, and 

 (usually) a sickle-shaped osseous support to hand. The hind 

 limb is weak. 



*1. GENUS UBOTRTCHUS. 



A single Japanese and Asian species. 17. talpoides, represents a genus having the 

 general characters of the moles, except a slender terete snout and a slender 

 bristled tail. The dentition is |, Q, |, f X2=36. This is thought to form a trans- 

 ition toward Myogale. 



2. GENUS CONDYLURA. 



See above. FItzinger in the face of the unanimous authority of recent American 

 writers, recognizes four species on the basis of seasonal and sexual modification. 



3. GENUS SCALOPS. 



Also see above. A North American genus, with perhaps two closely allied species. 

 out of which Fitzinger forms nine. The calm indifference with which a European 

 author settles a question of specific validity upon the evidence of fragmentary, 

 conflicting descriptions by hasty European travelers, with the possible help of 

 mouldy, ill-stuffed skins of doubtful authenticity, In the face of American stu- 

 dents, with large accumulations of material, would be amusing if not more. 



4. GENUS TALPA. 



Fitzinger recognizes seven species of this genus, whose type is the common mole 

 of Europe. Talpa eurvpcea. 



Five named varieties of the common mole indicate how variable such a species 

 may be. and affords a suggestive commentary on the numerous species of Scalops 

 recognized. 



Talpa coeca differs from T. europcea simply in the size of the eye orifice, and is 

 usually considered identical with it. Two species of this genus are accredited to 

 America almost certainly erroneously, they are T. nigrofuxca and T. repostn,. A 

 Japanese species, T. wogura, was secured by Temminck, and an East Indian, 

 T. micrura, by Hodgson, while a very doubtful species, Tleucura Blyth, was described 

 by Blyth from farther India. It is probably simply T. micrura. 



5. GENUS CHRYSOCHLORIS. 



The golden moles of Africa differ from the above in having but four toes on the 

 fore foot, and lacking the tail. 



Of this genus there seems to be three or more species; Fitzinger enumerates nin. 



C. inaurata (or C capensis, as it is perhaps properly called) occurs at the cape of 

 Good Hope. 



C. obtusirostris is from near Mosambique. 



C. villosa from Port Natal, was first described by A. Smith in 1833, and specimens 

 are in the British Museum. 



6. GENUS SCAPHANUS. 



This genus is closely related with Scalops, differing in dentition and the possess- 

 ion of a hairy tail. The single species, Seapanus breweri. is found in the eastern 

 United States. 



