ORDER RODENTIA. 79 



The Rat-Moles of the Cape, (Orycterti, F. Cuvier, Bath- 

 yergus, Illig.) 



With the form, the feet, and the truncated incisors 

 of the preceding species, have four cheek-teeth 

 throughout, and the lower ones profoundly indented 

 on the external side. Their eye is, although small, 

 yet visible, and they have a short tail. Two species 

 are known. 



The Maritime Rat-Mole, (Mus Maritimus, L.) Buff. 

 Sup. VL xxxvm. 



Of a whitish-gray, almost the size of a rabbit, 

 and 



The Small Rat-Mole, of the Cape, (M. Capensis,) Buff, 

 Supp. XL xxxvi. 



Brown; a spot around the eye; one around 

 the ear ; and one on the vertex and end of a 

 white muzzle ; about as large as a Guinea-Pig. 

 Both these are common in the neighbourhood 

 of the Cape of Good Hope, and they burrow to 

 such an extent in the earth, that it becomes 

 dangerous to ride in these parts *. 



* M. Illiger separates the M. Capensis from the Bath yergus, 

 or M. Maritimus, to place it with the M. Hudsonius, and the Aspa- 

 lax, or his own Georychus; but the conformation of the Mus Ca~ 

 pensis is absolutely the same as that of the M. Maritimus, which 

 we have ourselves authenticated. 



H 2 



