CLASS 1. MAMMALIA: ORDER 4. INSECTIVORA 



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THE TEM>r.AC. 



THE TANRECS. 



This family includes two genera, the Tendracs and the Tanrecs, both resembling the hedgehog, 

 but not being capable of rolling themselves into a ball. They have no tail, are mostly nocturnal 

 in their habits, and feed on insects. It is said that they lie dormant a considerable portion of the 

 year, even though living in hot countries ; but this is doubtful. M. Coquerel, surgeon in the 

 French marine, savs that he kept several of these creatures at Madagascar, during the hottest 

 months of the year, the supposed period of their hibernation, and they remained active the whole 

 time. Their spines are like stiff pointed bristles, and are by no means so strong as those of the 

 hedgehog. It appears that they belong exclusively to Madagascar, and have not been found, 

 even in a fossil state, in any other part of the world. 



Genus TEXDRAC : Erietdus. — Of this we know but a single-species, Erkulv.s spinosus, which 

 is about five inches long, and covered with spines resembling bristles. It is called Tendrac by the 

 natives of Madagascar. 



Genus TANREC : Centetes. — The true tanrecs have the body more elongated than the hedge- 

 hogs, and their bristles are less rigid, the spines being covered with soft, silky hair. The head is 

 shaped like that of the marsupials. The C. setosus :s found in Madagascar, and also in the 

 islands of Bourbon and Maurice, but it was probably carried to the latter island by the colonists. 

 It is tailless, about twelve inches long, and of a fawn color. The C. armatus has rather strong 

 prickles, and is of a grayish-black color. The C. spinosus is little known. Other species have been 

 mentioned, but they are not well established. 



THE MACROCELIDES. 



The animals of this familv are confined to Africa, and consists of two genera. They are cer- 

 tainly very different from any of the preceding species, nor do they greatly resemble those that 

 1 follow, but their insectivorous habits entitle them to a place here.. They have long hind-legs, 

 somewhat like the gerboas, rather larcje ears, lomr tails, and a remarkable long, proboscis-like nose. 

 Some of the species are called Elephant-mice by the English, and the Rat a trompe, or Probe 

 rut, by the French. They inhabit diy, rocky places, and feed mostly on insects, but some devour 

 other small animals, and even vegetables. 



Genus MACROCELIDES : Macrocelides ; called Rhymhocyon by some naturalists. — Of this 



