RODENT-MOLES. 



31 



out at intervals heaps of earth precisely after the fashion 

 of the common mole. 



The foregoing are the only rodents which have assumed 

 a more or less distinctly marked mole-like external form 

 while retaining all the characteristic structural features of 



ITG. 13. The Long-clawed Mole-Vole. 



the order to which they belong. There are, however, two 

 other members of the same great order which, while having 

 acquired mole-like habits, have not assumed a distinctly 

 mole-like form. One of these is the tuco-tuco (Ctenomys) 

 of South America, belonging to the same great family as 

 the capivara and the coipu. This animal is rather 

 smaller than a rat, with a relatively shorter tail, pale grey 

 fur, and red incisor teeth. Its general form is also not 

 unlike that of a rat, the limbs being of fair length, and the 

 front paws not markedly enlarged, while the eyes are of 

 considerable size. The external conchs of the ears have, 

 however, been greatly diminished in size. The tuco-tuco 

 derives its name from its voice, which resounds day and 

 night from its subterranean dwellings, and is compared by 

 Mr. W. H. Hudson to the blows of a hammer on an anvil. 



