CAPE CHRYSOCHLORE, OR CHANGEABLE MOLE. 



343 



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 Cheysochloee, or Shining Mole, 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 themsfelves 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 doree, or Gilded Mole. Its food consists, like 

 that of the other Moles, of worms and various insects. 



CAPE CHRYSOCHLORE, OR CHANGEABLE MOLE.— Chrysochloris 

 fwlosericea. 



