IXSECTIVORA. 139 



much alike in integuments, the forms of their limbs, 

 and habits of life. 



They may be divided into two tribes ; one with 

 the anterior extremities strong, formed for digging 

 the earth, and the other with the same extremities 

 more delicate, and made simply for walking or 

 swimming, and with several incisors, smaller than 

 the canines, like the Quadrumana. 



I. Talpidce, or Moles, are known for their sub- 

 terrene life and structure, so eminently appropriate 

 for that state of existence. They have very short 

 arms, attached to long shoulder blades, sustained 

 by strong clavicles, furnished with most powerful 

 muscles, and terminated by broad hands, with the 

 palms turned outwards and towards the rear ; these 

 hands have a sharp edged lower border, very short 

 fingers, tipt with powerful, long, flat, and cutting 

 claws ; these are the instruments used by the ani- 

 mal to tear the earth, and work it behind him. The 

 sternum is strengthened as with birds and bats, 

 having a keel which enables the pectoral muscles 

 to have the increased developernent necessary for 

 their functions. In order to penetrate into the 

 earth, the Talpidos use their long pointed head, 

 with a snout possessing a particular bone, having 

 vigorous cervical muscles ; there occurs even a pe- 

 culiar bone in the cervical ligament. The hinder 

 extremities are feeble, and, on the surface of the 

 earth they move comparatively with more trouble 

 than beneath it. Moles have a delicate sense of 

 hearing, the tympanum being very large, although 



