VERTEBRATE AXIMALS OF -SOUTH CAROLINA. 215 



TALPID.E. 



COMMON MOLE. Scalops aquaticus, (Linne) Fischer. 

 STAR-XO.SED MOLE. Condyl'ira cristata, (LinnL^) Desmarest. (G.) 



ORDER GLIRES. RODENTS. 



A large order of mammals, at once distinguishable from' all other pla- 

 cental mammals by the form of incisor teeth, which are bent into an arc of 

 greater or less magnitude, possess a chisel or gouge-like edge, and grow 

 perpetually from a soft pulp. Canine teeth are wanting ; the feet are 

 suited for walking and leaping. 



The species of rodents are more numerous than those of all other 

 orders of mammals combined. They are distributed throughout the 

 world. Some, as the squirrels and chipmunks, are adapted for arboreal 

 life, while others, as the marmots, live in the open prairies. The com- 

 mon rat has been introduced everywhere where commerce has pene- 

 trated. 



The rodents are of comparatively little commercial value, although 

 some families, as the beavers, furnish beautiful furs, and others, as the 

 squirrels and hares, may supply some considerable amount of palatable 

 food. On the other hand, many members of the family MuridR, or rats, 

 are injurious to grain and other products of husbandry.* 



SCIURID.E. 



? EASTERN CHICKADEE. Scuirus hudsonius, Pallas ; hudsonius. 



SOUTHERN FOX SQUIRREL. Sciurus niger, Linne; niger. 

 ? NORTHERN GRAY iSQUIRREL. Sciunis carolinensis, Gmelin ; leucotis. 



SOUTHERN GRAY SQUIRREL. Sciurus carolhiensis, Gmelin ; carolinensis. 



FLYING SQUIRREL. Sciuropterus volucella, (Pallas) Geoff. ; volucella. 



CHIPMUNK ; STRIPED SQUIRREL. Tamias striatus, (Linne) Baird. 



WOODCHUCK ; GROUJSiD HOG. Arctomys monax, (Linne) Schreber. 



*The Jumping Mouse, Zapus hudsonius, (Zimm.) Cones, representing the iiimily Zapo- 

 (lidx, is included by Gibbes in the fauna of South Carolina, but apparently without 

 reason. 



