MAMMALIA 



3<)7 



The moles (Tal'pidce) are subterranean animals, with bioad front feet 

 and vestigial eyes. The common prairie mole (Scalops aquatica* mackriiim) 

 (Fig. 294) is well known by its habit of burrowing in gardens for earthworms 

 and grubs. It eats also the roots of vegetables. Its powerful front limbs 

 are clawed for digging. Its hind limbs are weak, the tail short, and the nose 

 pointed. The star-nosed mole of the eastern United States (Condylu'ra 



Fig. 293. Common shrew. (After Coues.) 



cristola) has the tip of its snout encircled with fleshy projections. Talpa is 

 an Old World form. The Russian Desman (M yog' ale moscata) lives in 

 burrows in the banks of streams. It feeds on fresh-water insects and larvae. 

 An Oriental insectivore is an aberrant form. It is much larger than most 

 of the order and has an integumentary membrane, connecting the neck with 

 the fore limb, the fore limb with the hind limb and the hind limb with the 

 tail. 



Fig. 294. Common mole (Scalops aquaticus), Linn. (After Coues.) 



Geographic Distribution. This order is represented in every 

 region except South America and Australia. The moles are 

 confined to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. 

 Hedgehogs are not found hi the Western Hemisphere nor in 

 Australia. 



