INSE CT-EA TERS—LION 



65 



shrew was discovered by du Chaillu, and long regarded as very rare. It inhabits 

 the borders of rivers, and in its mode of life is very similar to an otter, although 

 its food doubtless consists of insects, molluscs, and other invertebrates. In colour 

 it is brown above and white below. 



Another very characteristic African family group of insect-eaters is formed by 

 the golden moles (Chrysoehloridai), many of which are recognisable at a glance by 

 the peculiar metallic iridescence of their fur. They are confined to central and 

 southern Africa, and although somewhat mole-like in appearance, and more so in 

 habits, are most nearly related to the otter-shrew and the tenrecs of Madagascar. 



In all the golden moles the eyes are completely buried in the thick skin, the tiny 

 ears are hidden in the dense fur, and the middle pair of toes of the four-toed front- 

 feet are furnished with powerful curved claws, well adapted for digging. Their 

 fore-feet are thus quite different from the spade-like hands of the true moles — a 

 group which is entirely absent from Africa. While some of the golden moles have 



THE OTTER-SHREW. 



forty teeth, others have only thirty-eight, owing to the absence of one pair of pre- 

 molars. The golden moles, whose food, like that of the true moles, consists mainly 

 of earth-worms, dig tunnels in the ground, but these are driven so close to the 

 surface that the earth is raised above them ; and when at work, the little animals 

 can be easily thrown out with a stick. One of the best known species is the Cape 

 golden mole (Chrysochloris aurea), of Cape Colony and the neighbouring districts. 

 Of great interest in connection with the golden moles is the occurrence in 

 the middle Tertiary deposits of North America of remains of two extinct genera 

 (Xenotherium and Arctoryctes) of apparently nearly allied Insectivora. These, as 

 mentioned in the first chapter of the present volume, discount the value of the 

 allied extinct Patagonian genus Necrolestes in regard to a former connection 

 between Africa and South America, although, as mentioned in the same chapter, 

 such a connection seems to be demonstrated by other lines of evidence. 



Some part of Ethiopian Africa is the home of the typical race of 

 the lion (Fells leo typica), although the precise habitat of this race of 

 the species cannot be identified. In colour it is yellowish red, and has no mane on 

 vol. in. — 5 



Lion. 



