Desman. 245 



INSECTIVORA. 



Insectivora are small mammals with carnivorous ten- 

 dencies, that are compelled by their inferior size to depend 

 principally upon insects for their supply of food. On 

 account of differences in the development of their incisor 

 teeth, these animals were distributed by Linnaeus among 

 several orders, but Cuvier in 1816 grouped them together 

 in one independent order, all the species of Avhich have 

 teeth encased in enamel, and grinders studded with coni- 

 cal points, w'hich distinguishes them from the ]\Idno- 

 tremes, while the peculiar clondyles of their jaws separate 

 them from the rodents, and their limbs distinguish them 

 from the bats. As Dr. Theodore Gill says, the various 

 types of Insectivores differ so much in external charac- 

 teristics that it is only possible to give general characters 

 to the order. They commonly lead a nocturnal and sub- 

 terranean existence, and in cold climates many of them 

 pass the winter in a lethargic state. Their feet and legs 

 are generally short, and their motions are feeble; in 

 walking they place the whole sole of the foot on the 

 ground. Some of them have long incisors in front, fol- 

 lowed by other incisors and canines shorter than the 

 molars. Others have large separated canines, between 

 which are placed small incisors. Some species are covered 

 wdth robust spines, while others have the finest and softest 

 fur; some have barrel-shaped bodies, minute eyes, and 

 wide, sharply-clawed fore-feet fitted for digging: some 

 are ground animals with mouse-like forms, and still others 

 are squirrel-like and arboreal. Formerly the naturalists 

 called all the round, digging Insectivores Talpidae ; and 

 those with mouse-like forms Soricidae, but now they are 

 divided according to structural characteristics, into a 

 dozen different families, the most important of which as 

 a fur producer is the Talpidae. of which the Common ]\Iole 

 (Talpa-europaea) is the principal representative. 



The European Mole is about four inches long, has 

 extremely small eyes that are almost hidden by the thick 

 fur which prevents the dirt from entering them when 

 the animal is burrowing. It has no external ears, but 



