MAMMALIA 



275 



in many species and appear as mere dark spots. The 

 shrews, numbering thirty-five species, are characterized by 

 a pointed nose and small feet, while the moles have ex- 

 tremely large fore feet enabling them to excavate rapidly 

 the tunnels whose elevated roofs form serpentine figures 

 over the lawns. The hedgehogs, distributed throughout 



Fio. 312. Wild cat (Lynx rufus). Photographed in the American Museum of 

 Natural History. 



Europe, Africa, Asia, and some of the adjacent islands, are 

 covered on the upper surface with an armature of spines, 

 and possess the power of rolling themselves up into the 

 form of a ball. 



Flesh Eaters (Carnivora). Nearly a hundred species 

 belonging to this order dwell in North America. Their 

 distinguishing features are large canine teeth, flesh-cutting 



