THE MOLE, DESMAN, AND COAST RAT. 



Common Mole. 



Desmans. 



Star-Nosed Mole. 



The Common Mole, or Talpa, is found nowhere but in Europe. The whole structure of this animal is 

 beautifully adapted to the subterranean life which it leads, and to the mode in which it seeks its food. The 

 Mole has been supposed to be deficient in the sense of sight, the eyes being so small, and so hidden behind 

 the hair, that their existence was long denied ; it has been ascertained, however, to be tolerably sharp- 

 sighted. The sense of smell is extremely acute, and its organ largely developed. At the same time it 

 appears to be assisted by that of hearing, which is certainly acute, although aided by no external ear. 

 The burrows of the Mole are of a beautifully complicated construction, and are formed with the utmost 

 art. Its food chiefly consists of earth-worms and the larvse of beetles. 



The Cape Mole, inhabiting the South of Africa, is very similar to the Common Mole in structure and 

 habits ; but is remarkable as being the only known mammal which presents any appearance of those 

 splendid metallic reflections which adorn so many birds, fishes and insects. Its fur is green, changing 

 with the light to a copper or bronze. 



The Star-nosed Moles are confined to North America ; they closely resemble the Common Mole in their 

 feet, general aspect and habits, but the tail is longer, and the disc at the end of the snout is encircled by 

 curious little moveable cartilaginous processes like the rays of a star. 



The Desman, or Russian Musk-Rat, is abundant in the lakes and rivers of Southern Russia, feeding on 

 worms, aquatic insects, and especially leeches, which it searches for in the mud at the bottom of the water, 

 with its long flexible snout. It exales a strong musky odor. m 



The Coast Rat is a native of Southern Africa, frequenting sandy tracts along the coast. It is about a 

 foot in length, exclus ; ve of the tail, which is about three inches. The general color is greyish ash. 



(73) 



Cape Mole, on it* back. 



Gape Mole. 



