16 NEW- YORK FAUNA. 



once seen a skull vvitli this mimber ; and this formula, which has been erroneously printed, 

 has, by another error, been applied to the star-nose. 



Color. The entire animal is covered with a beautiful glossy fur of silvery grey brown, 

 somewhat hghter about the head, where it assumes a slight yellowish tinge ; but this is far 

 from being a constant character. Muzzle of a delicate flesh color. Tail and feet whitish. 

 Varieties are not uncommon, of a uniform bright tawny or orange, and occasionally hoary. 



Total length, ,. 6-0. 



Tail, 1-0. 



This little animal, from its appearance and habits, is commonly called a mole ; but from 

 this it is widely diiferent. It has the burrowing habits of the common mole of Europe, but 

 does not exclusively occupy the vicinity of rivers and water courses, as its name would seem 

 to imply. It may naturally prefer moist places ; for the earth is more easily excavated in 

 such situations, and its favorite food, the earth worm {Lumbricus terrenus, Say,) is there 

 found in the greatest abundance. They have also been observed in the dry sandy pine 

 barrens of New-Jersey, in search of the larvje of ants. Their burrows are usually from one 

 to three inches from the surface, although occasionally much deeper. He is well known as 

 the pest of gardeners, defacing the smooth walks, and injuring the appearance of the beds. 

 It may well be doubted, however, whether the good he does in destroying grubs, worms, etc. 

 does not more than compensate for the injury he is supposed to occasion to roots and germi- 

 nating seeds. It is asserted that he has a great aversion to the castor-oil plant (Palma 

 Christi), and that he will avoid gardens in which they grow. Our own experience would 

 lead us to attach little importance to this remedy. 



The Shrew-mole, for its size, is remarkably strong, and is capable of domestication. In 

 eating, it employed its flexible snout to thrust food into its mouth, and frequently burrowed 

 in the earth in order to eat its food undisturbed. An interesting account of the habits of the 

 Shrew-mole is given by Dr. Godman,* to which we refer the reader. 



We take this opportunity to state, that the existence on this continent of the true mole of 

 Europe, has frequently been asserted and denied. Dr. Harlan, in his Fauna, p. 43, has 

 published from the manuscripts of Bartram, notes of an animal which may have reference to 

 a true mole. Of this several varieties are noted, which, unless Bartram had the shrew-mole 

 in view, would seem to indicate the existence of a very common species. It is to be regretted 

 that Bartram's notes are silent respecting the dentition, which would have settled all doubts 

 on the subject. Godman, Vol, 1, p. 106, discredits its existence; and the translator of the 

 American edition of Cuvier's Regne Animal, coincides with this opinion. One of the most 

 recent writers on our Mammalia, states, however, that there are several true moles in the 



* Rambles of a Naturalist, by J. D. Godman, Philad. 1833. 



