INSECTIYORA. 141 



torpid in winter in this country or France. In 

 Siberia, the species, if the same, grows to larger 

 dimensions. None are said to exist in Ireland, or 

 in Guernsey. There are occasionally white, and 

 sometimes pied moles among the European species. 

 According to Professor Harlan, it is found likewise 

 in the United States of America ; but the 



Talpa purpurescens, or Purple Mole, originally 

 described by Seba, may be distinct, being marked 

 by a white tail, and a purple gloss on the black fur. 

 It is found in Virginia. 



Talpa coeca. Italian Mole. Noticed by Pro- 

 fessor Savi, and found by him in the Appennines, 

 though exactly similar to the common mole, is 

 nevertheless totally destitute of eyes. 



Genus SCALOPS, Cuv. Shrew Moles. Dent. 

 form, incis. f , cones or p. mol. f -f , mol. g = Jf = 

 30. Intermediate incisors very strong ; muzzle 

 very long, with cartilaginous snout ; eyes very small ; 

 no external ears ; hands broad, pentadactylous like 

 those of the mole ; tail short. 



Scalops Canadensis, the only species known, is 

 very like the common mole in external appearance, 

 but in habit more a water shrew. The species is 

 found from Canada to Virginia, and westwards to 

 California. 



Genus CHRYSOCHLORIS, Lacep. Chrysochlore, or 

 Shining Moles. Dent. form, incis. f , cones f -f , 

 mol. i = f g == 40. Muzzle rather short, trun- 

 cated, cartilaginous; eyes very small; no external 

 ear ; anterior feet three- toed, armed with strong fur- 



