56 



MAMMALIA. 



C. Asiatic's. (The Golden Mole.) A little smaller than the European 

 Mole ; no apparent tail ; is the only known quadruped that presents any 

 appearance of those splendid metallic tints which brighten and adorn so 

 many birds, fishes, and insects. Its fur is a green, changing to a copper 

 or bronze ; there is no conch to the ear, and the eye is not perceptible. 



TALPA, Linnteus. 



No one is ignorant of this curious animal, the 

 Mole, whose form so perfectly qualifies it for a 

 subterraneous mode of life. A very short arm 

 attached to a long scapula, supported by a 

 powerful clavicle, and furnished with enormous 

 muscles, sustains an extremely large hand, the 

 palm of which is always directed either out- 

 wards or backwards ; the lower edge of this hand is trenchant, the fingers are 

 scarcely perceptible, but the nails in which they terminate are long, flat, strong 

 and sharp. Such is the instrument employed by the Mole to tear the earth and 

 throw it behind it. Its sternum, like that of Birds and Bats, has a process which 

 gives to the pectoral muscles the size that is required for their functions. To 

 pierce and raise up the earth, it makes use of its long pointed head, whose muzzle 

 is armed at its extremity with a peculiar little bone, whose muscles are ex- 

 tremely powerful. There is even an additional bone in the cervical ligament. 

 It has but little power behind, and moves as slowly above ground as it advances 

 rapidly under it. Its sense of hearing is very acute, and the tympanum very 

 large, although there is no external ear ; its eyes are so small and so hidden by 

 the hair, that for a long time their existence was positively denied. The jaws 

 are weak, and the food consists of Worms, Insects, and some soft roots. 

 There are six incisors above, and eight below. The canini have two roots, 

 which causes them to partake of the nature of false molars; behind them 

 are four false molars above and three below, after which are three bristled 

 molars. 



T. Europcea, L.; Buff. (The Common Mole.) Pointed muzzle, hair soft 

 and black ; individuals are found white, fawn-coloured and piebald a vexa- 

 tious animal in cultivated grounds. 



CONDYL.URA, Illiger. 



In the animals belonging to this genus, the two kinds 

 of dentition peculiar to the Insectivora seem to be com- 

 bined. In the upper jaw are two large triangular incisors, 

 two extremely small and slender ones, and on each side a 

 strong canine. In the lower one are four incisors 

 slanting forwards, and a pointed but small canine. The 

 superior false molars are triangular and separated, the 

 inferior trenchant a:id denticulated. 



