362 



VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 



out that various authorities on mammalian morphology have selected 

 the shrews as the most generalized of living mammals. 



The Erinaceidoe Erinaceus, Hylomys, and Gymnura (Fig. 186, A) 

 are a little more specialized than are the shrews, though Lull con- 

 siders the latter the most primitive living placental mammal. The 

 true hedgehog is characterized by its armor of quills, which are much 

 like those of the porcupine in structure. 



FIG. 187. Galeopithecus. (From Parker and Haswell, after Vogt and Specht.) 



The True Moles (Fig. 186, C) are profoundly specialized for a 

 sub-terrestrial burrowing habit and resemble in their adaptations 

 the marsupial mole. They have rudimentary eyes, no ear-lobes, 

 short tail, and heavy digging claws. The golden mole (Chrysochloris) 

 of South Africa is a beautiful creature with iridescent golden fur. 

 Moles feed chiefly on earthworms and dig long tunnels just 

 beneath the turf, and on this account are the bane of lawn- 

 keepers and gardeners. No less than nine families of Insectivora 



