ioo INSECT-EATERS 



in an instant, after its food, its black velvety coat becoming 

 beautifully silvered with the innumerable bubbles of air that 

 cover it when submerged; and on rising again the fur is 

 observed to be perfectly dry, repelling the water as com- 

 pletely as the feathers of a water-fowl.' 



FAMILY MACROSCELIDID^. 



ELEPHANT SHREW (Macroscelides typicus}. 

 Coloured Plate IV. Fig. 8. 



The Elephant Shrew is a curious mouse-like little 

 creature that takes its name from the elephan- 

 tine elongation of its nose. The whole length 

 of the animal is five inches. The generic 

 name means ' long-legged/ the hind legs being 

 longer than the fore limbs ; and the animal 

 moves in a succession of leaps in biped 

 fashion. 



There are several species of the Jumping 

 Shrews, as they are often called. Nearly all of 

 SOLE OF them exist in South Africa, where they burrow 

 OF in the ground, flying to their retreats the instant 



are disturbed. They are insect-eaters, pick- 



size.) in g U P a livin g amid the scant Y herbage that 

 grows in the rocky regions where they make 

 their homes. 



FAMILY CENTETID^E. 



TANBEC (Centetes ecaudatus). 

 Coloured Plate IV. Fig. 6. 



The animals of this family are cousins to the hedgehog, 

 for their coat is softly haired, but mixed with bristles and 

 flexible spines, which are strongest about the neck. The 

 Tanrec is not only the best known of the family, but is the 

 largest of the Insectivores. It is fifteen or sixteen inches in 

 length ; it has no tail. Because of various technical re- 

 semblances it is certain that the Tanrec is, of all living 



