TRUE MOLES. 27 



broad, shovel-like organs. We shall also not fail to 

 observe the absence of any external conchs to the ears, 

 and the rudimentary condition of the deeply-buried 

 eyes. A long tail would also be useless to a burrowing 

 animal, and we accordingly find this appendage reduced to 

 very small dimensions ; while the close velvety hair is 

 most admirably adapted to prevent any adhesion of earthy 

 particles during the mole's subterranean journeys. Equally 

 well-marked adaptive peculiarities would also present 

 themselves were we to undertake an examination of the 

 mole's skeleton. While the majority of the assemblage 

 conform more or less closely to the true moles in appear- 

 ance, there are others in which such resemblance is but 

 slightly marked, if apparent at all, from which we may 

 probably infer some minor differences in their mode of life. 



Proceeding to the consideration of the different groups 

 of mole-like animals, it will be convenient to divide the 

 mixed assemblage into insectivorous moles, rodent moles, 

 and marsupial moles. The term "insectivorous moles," it 

 may be premised, does not primarily indicate carnivorous 

 habits in the species thus designated, but merely refers to 

 the fact that they are members of the order Insectivora. 

 It would of course be impossible, not to say out of place, 

 to attempt a definition of that order ; but it may be men- 

 tioned that it includes small mammals, like shrews, moles, 

 and hedgehogs, which differ from the rodents in not pos- 

 sessing a pair of chisel-like teeth in the front of the jaws, 

 and also have their molar teeth surmounted by a number 

 of small sharp cusps. 



The insectivorous moles include not only our common 

 mole (Talpa europtea), but also many other species belong- 

 ing to the same genus, as well as certain others which are 

 referred to distinct genera, all of which, for our present 

 purpose, may be collectively spoken of as true moles. Of 

 these, two genera (Talpa and Scaptonyx] inhabit Europe 

 and Asia, while the other three are North American ; 

 Africa having no representative of the group. It may be 

 well to mention that all the true moles have very broad 

 naked hands, each furnished with five toes carrying long 

 flattened nails, in addition to which there is a sickle-like 



