CAPE CHRYSOCHLORE, OR CHANGEABLE MOLE. 848 
manner as to present a sharp point to the earth when the creature exercises them in the act for 
which they were intended. The hinder feet and legs are extremely small, and the tail is but 
short. There is no apparent outward vestige of an ear, and the eyes are almost invisible. In 
size it equals the common European Mole, being about seven inches in total length. 
Another similar animal, the Desman of Russia, has been frequently mistaken for the 
Shrew-Mole, but it can be. easily distinguished at a casual glance by the greater length of its 
tail and its superior size ; its total length being sixteen or seventeen inches. 
The CurysocHLoreE, or SHINING Monn, or CHANGEABLE MOLE, has derived its various 
names from the very peculiar character of 
its fur. 
The color of the Chrysochlore’s coat is 
of a character that resembles ‘‘shot’’ silk, 
or the peculiar changeable metallic radiance 
which is thrown from the feathers of many 
birds. According to the light in which the 
animal is viewed, the fur is in some parts of 
a golden or bronzed green, and in others of a 
bronzed red, these brilliant hues interchang- 
ing among themselves as the animal moves, 
or as the light falls at different angles upon 
the fur. The name Chrysochlore is derived 
from two Greek words, signifying gold-green, 
and is happily applicable to the very singular 
coloring of the animal. The term holosericea 
is also Greek, and signifying ‘‘ wholly silken,”’ 
in reference to the lustrous surface of the 
hairs. 
Even putting aside the strange chroma- 
tism of the fur, the creature is a very remark- 
able one in many respects, and especially 
deserving of notice on account of its teeth 
and its feet. 
The teeth of the Changeable Mole are 
arranged in a very peculiar mode, being sepa- 
rated from each other by an interval that is 
equal to their thickness, so that when the 
jaws are closed, the teeth of either jaw fit exactly into the interstices that are left between those 
of the opposite jaw, like the iron serrations of a steel-trap. It has been well remarked that 
‘*the Chrysochlore affords, it is believed, the only example in the animal world of teeth being 
opposed by their anterior and posterior faces. The skeleton is altogether a singular one, for 
there are no less than nineteen pairs of ribs, and in one species twenty pairs have been made 
out. The first rib is thick and broad in proportion to the others. 
The fore-feet are furnished with four toes, the fourth toe being very small, and tipped 
with a nail of ordinary size. The other three toes are armed with most formidable claws, by 
means of which the animal is enabled to dig into the earth. The middle toe carries a claw of 
surprising dimensions, as may be seen on reference to the engraving. The hinder feet are five- 
toed, and of no very great proportional size. The eye is externally invisible, being covered 
with skin, so that the animal appears to be practically blind. There are no ears, and no tail. 
The size of the creature is rather less than that of the common European Mole. 
As may be perceived from its title, it is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, although it 
was formerly thought to inhabit Siberia. It is also known by the name of the Hottentot 
Chrysochlore ; and the French name is Taupe dorée, or Gilded Mole. Its food consists, like 
that of the other Moles, of worms and various insects. 
CAPE CHRYSOCHLORE, OR CHANGEABLE MOLE.— Chrysochloris 
holosericea. 
