SPREADING OF THE MAMMALIA. 61 A 



consider that region, which, at the level of Europe, 

 coincides with the 50th degree of Latitude, as the 

 limit to the extension of this Genus of animals. Of 

 the Weasels : the Martin (Mustela foina), and the 

 Stoat (M. erminea), inhabit the warmer parts of 

 Europe and Asia. The Ferret (M. furo) is met with 

 in Barbary. These animals, however, are not pecu- 

 liar to the Warm Zone ; and even if they are found 

 in the Moluccas, it is still a question, in what ele- 

 vation, above the level of the sea, they inhabit. Most 

 species of this Genus spread northward in great num- 

 bers, especially Sables, Ermines, Martins, Stoats, 

 and the common Weasel ; but, as they like woody 

 tracts, they do not go further than where they meet 

 with wood. They are, in general, peculiar to those 

 countries which lie between the 30th and 70th de- 

 gree of Latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. 



18. Moles (Talpa), Shrews (Sorex), and Hedge- 

 hogs (Erinaceus), inhabit, in various species, partly 

 the Temperate, and partly the Warm Zones ; and 

 are found even in the beginning of the Frigid Zone. 

 The common Mole lives throughout Europe, in Bar- 

 bary, and Northern Asia, as far as the River Lena. 

 The Gold Mole is found at the Cape of Good Hope. 

 The common Shrew inhabits Europe and Siberia ; 

 the Musk Shrew (Sorex moschatus], Asia, between 



