16 
NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
once seen a skull with this number; 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 lighter 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,______l’O. 
This little animal, from its appearance and habits, is commonly called a mole; but from 
this it is widely different. 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 larva; 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 animai 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. 
