THE BRITISH MAMMALS : THEIR GENERA AND SPECIES. 67 



eastwards from Ireland and the Hebrides to Saghalien ; and, like 

 the Common Shrew, feeds mainly on insect larvae, worms, and 

 small molluscs, brings forth its young in a domed nest, and sleeps 

 through the winter in some hole in the ground. 



Synotus. Plate i. CHIROPTERA. 



4. barbastellus, BARBASTELLE. Ears large and united, and enclosing 

 the eyes by reaching half-way down between them and 

 the tip of the muzzle. 



In the Barbastelle the nostrils open on the top of the bare 

 muzzle, and a groove passes down from each so as to thicken the 

 upper lip in the middle. There are thirty-four teeth in all, of which the 

 lower premolars number two on each side. The feet are slender, the 

 toes long, being half the length of the foot, and the wing membrane 

 starts from the base of the toes. The tail, which is an inch and 



BARBASTELLE. 



(Synotus barbastellus.) 



three-quarters long, slightly projects beyond the membrane. The 

 head and body are as long as the tail. In colour the Barbastelle 

 is black above and below, with a tendency to greyish ; but occa- 

 sionally specimens are met with much lighter in colouration, includ- 

 ing the inevitable albino. It has not yet been recorded from Ireland 

 or Scotland, but ranges from the North of England to Northern 

 Africa, and well into Asia north of the Himalaya. 



Talpa. Plate iv. INSECTIVORA. 



17. europcea, MOLE. No external ears ; eyes hidden in fur ; feet 

 not webbed. 



The Mole bores with its muscular muzzle, which is strengthened 

 by a special bone, and, with the powerful arms, clears the way as 

 the legs drive it along. From the tip of the nose to the last of the 

 ribs the shape is that of a flattened cone, practically unbroken by 

 shoulders owing to the lengthened presternum bringing the 

 clavicle against the side of the neck, and enabling the hand to 



