30 CLASS-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY. 



gated, the snout cartilaginous, its eyes are exceedingly 

 small, feet very short, and the anterior terminating in 

 large strong hands with fingers, armed with long, flat 

 linear nails, for the purpose of digging. It is found from 

 Canada to Virginia, in high grounds, where it makes bur- 

 rows and numerous galleries. It feeds exclusively on 

 earth-worms, larva?, grubs, and other insects. 



§ 76. The Star-nose Mole (Condylura cristata) is six 

 inches long, of a dark lead-color. It has a conical head, 

 terminating in a snout, which is encircled by a cartilagi- 

 nous disk, consisting of twenty rays. It feeds only on 

 insects, grubs, and worms ; is therefore useful to the hus- 

 bandman, and is found near the banks of rivulets in North 

 America. 



§ 77. The Hedgehog (Erinaceus Europaeus) is of the 

 size of a rabbit, covered with yellowish prickles, feet and 

 tail very short, and is found almost in the whole of the 

 Old World. It is a nocturnal animal, feeds both on ani- 

 mals and vegetables ; mouses like a cat. It sticks its 

 prickles into fruit for the purpose of bringing it to its 

 holes ; and is gentle, easily tamed, and kept in rooms. 



§ 78. Among the flesh-eaters, the following species de- 

 serve to be noted, viz : The Racoon (Procyon Lotor) is 

 of the size of a fox, has a short triangular head, feet 

 provided with long and strong nails, fit for climbing, 

 a long pointed tail, with dark rings around its body. The 

 Racoon is a nocturnal animal, inhabiting the warmer 

 parts of the Union, feeds on a variety of substances, 

 uses its fore paws very dexterously for seizing, or even 

 : sucking up its food. It is in general very tame. Its 

 flesh is eatable, and its hair is esteemed by the hatters 

 next in value to that of the beaver. 



§ 79. The Bear is a carnivorous animal with a large 

 head, a muzzle terminating in a moveable cartilage, with 

 incurved large strong nails, callous soles of the hind 

 feet, and a short tail. Bears are found in the moun- 

 tainous countries of the Old and New World. When 

 young, they live principally on fruit and other vege- 

 tables ; but after they are three years old, they become 

 omnivorous. Their fur and flesh are much esteemed. 



