Solenodon of San Domimjo. 69 



several years before the Cuban species (^Solenodon cubanus) 

 was known to science, it is still practically unknown to recent 

 zoologists. The published descriptions of this rare and inter- 

 esting mammal are vague and unsatisfactory. For many years 

 it has been commonly considered extinct, and when, in Decem- 

 ber 1906, I undertook a collecting-trip to San Domingo with 

 the avowed intention of obtaining the Solenodon, prominent 

 zoologists stated that the quest was hopeless, one of them 

 saying that I would be as likely to secure specimens of ghosts 

 as of Solenodon paradoxus. 



During the five months spent on the island I devoted a 

 great deal of time hunting for the Solenodon and in inter- 

 viewing natives from the remote and little-known parts of 

 the island. 



I soon found that the animal was well known to the natives 

 in certain isolated localities, but that over the greater portion 

 of the Republic it was absolutely unknown. 



This is readily accounted for by the presence of the mon- 

 goose in most parts of the country,, and it is only a question 

 of time when this pest will overrun the entire island and the 

 Solenodon will become actually exterminated. 



The natives have several names for the Solenodon, calling 

 it " Orso," "Milqui," " Homigero," and " Juron," while the 

 English-speaking negroes from the British West Indies know 

 it as " Ground Hog," The name " Jurou " (ferret) ^i^s also 

 applied to the mongoose, and for some time I was misled by 

 this confusion of the two animals. In its habits the Solenodon 

 resembles a hog, rooting in the earth and cultivated grounds, 

 tearing rotten logs and trees to pieces with its powerful front 

 claws, and feeding on ants, grubs, insects, vegetables, reptiles, 

 and fruit, and at times proving destructive to poultry. On 

 several occasions it has been known to enter the houses in 

 search of roaches and other vermin, and has been captured in 

 rat-traps. 



It is strictly nocturnal, and spends the day in caves, holes 

 in the coral-limestone rocks and in hollow trees and logs. It 

 is a slow, stupid creature. It is unable to run rapidly, but 

 shambles along with the zigzag sidewise motions of a planti- 

 grade. It is doubtless owing to this that it obtained the 

 native name of " Orso " (bear). 



Its long snout and stout front feet, with their curved claws, 

 and its thick short neck prove impediments to forward progress. 

 According to the natives, it is incapable of running straight. 

 They also claim that when pursued it frequently trips itself 

 and tumbles heels over head. When hunted with dogs, it 

 thrusts its head into the nearest hole or shelter, and allows 

 itself to be captured without resistance. 



