VERTEBRATA : MAMMALIA. 



767 



British species of the family, and is too well known to need 

 any description. The dental formula of the Mole is 

 11 4 3-3 



3 





3 3 i i 44 33 



The nearly-allied Talpa caca of Southern Europe has the eyes 

 covered by a membrane, pierced by a small central aperture. 

 Other species of Talpa are found in India, China, and Japan. 



Fig. 446. European Mole (Talpa Europcea). 



The star-nosed Moles (Condylura) are North American, and 

 are distinguished by a fringe of elongated membranous car- 

 uncles surrounding the nostrils. The tail is much longer than 

 in the typical Moles ; the eyes are very minute ; and there are 

 no external ears. 



Also North American is the genus Scalops, comprising the 

 so-called Shrew-moles. In this genus the tail is short, the 

 muzzle is long, with the* nostrils at its extremity, and the eyes 

 are very small and are hidden in the fur. The common Shrew- 

 mole (Scalops aquaticus) has the hind-feet webbed, and is found 

 everywhere in the United States east of the Mississippi. 



The Golden Moles (Chrysochloris) of South Africa are often 

 regarded as forming a special family. They are like the Moles 

 in form and general habit ; but the hairs of the fur have the 

 power of dispersing the rays of light, and thus of giving rise to 

 beautiful metallic colours. The fore-feet have four toes, the 

 second and third being very large and armed with immense 

 claws; while the clavicles are not shortened (as they are in 

 Talpa). The eyes are very minute, and covered by the skin. 

 The dentition is quite peculiar, the dental formula being 



i x 6 6 55 

 ; pm - - ; m - or - - = 36 or 40. 

 V^ 3 3' 55 44 6 



