844 



THE RADIATED MOLE. 



Even in a stuffed specimen, or in an uncolored engraving, the aspect of the Radiated 

 Mole is a most grotesque and singular one ; but its quaint uniqueness is much more striking 

 when the animal is alive and in full health. 



The most remarkable point in this animal is the muzzle, which is produced into a long, 

 slender proboscis, round the extremity of which are arranged a number of soft, fleshy rays, of 

 a bright rose-color, radiating like the petals of a daisy, or the tentacles of a sea-anemone. 

 These curious rays, or caruncles, as they are more scientifically termed, can be spread or closed 

 at pleasure, and present a strange spectacle when in movement. Their probable object is that 

 they may serve as a delicate organ of touch, to aid the animal in procuring the worms and 

 insects on which it feeds. The openings of the nostrils are situated in the centre of the radiated 

 disc. The number of the caruncles is about twenty. 



On account of the proportionately length- 

 ened tail, the animal is sometimes called the 

 Long-tailed Mole ; for the tail is two inches 

 and a half in length, while the head and body 

 only measure four inches and a half. Another 

 name by which it is known is the Condylure. 

 or "knotty tail," an epithet which has been 

 applied to it because, when a specimen is dried, 

 the skin of the tail contracts so firmly over the 

 vertebras that the separate bones exhibit their 

 form through the skin, and give to the tail a 

 knotted aspect. The color of the fur is much 

 like that of the common Mole, being a vel- 

 vety blackish-gray on the upper portions of 

 the body, and paler on the under parts. The 

 eyes are extremely small, and there is no ex- 

 ternal indication of ears. It is an inhabitant 

 of Canada and the United States. 



The Mole {Talpa) is peculiar to European 

 countries, while the American animal, so called 

 (Scalops), is equally characteristic of this coun- 

 try. They have a strong resemblance to each 

 other, and are equal in size. 



The Silver or Prairie Mole (Scalops argen- 

 tatus) is very similar to the preceding, small 

 specimens being with difficulty distinguished 

 from it. It inhabits Mexico and Texas. 

 A dark purplish -black species (S. townsendi) is found in the West, and called the 

 Oregon Mole. Another is called S. breweri, or Hairy-tailed Mole. 



The Star-nose Mole, a very common and familiar species, is here well represented. The 

 curious star-like appendage on its nose is not clearly understood. 



In the family Soricidce, the Shrews, a large number of species are enumerated. They are 

 mouse-like in appearance, with an elongated muzzle. Of the sub-family Soricince, we have 

 three genera belonging to North America. These are spread over the whole of the northern 

 hemisphere ; some being found very far north. The region of the Rio Grande is their south- 

 ernmost limit. 



As an Order, known as Inseclivora, or Insect-eaters, these animals are not largely repre- 

 sented in America. They are not found in South America, nor in Australia. It is an inter- 

 esting fact that the regions forming the exception are those having Marsupial animals ; the 

 latter being found in no other lands. 



HADIATED MOLE, OR STAR-NOSED MOLE— Condylura cristata. 



The insect-eating animals which have already been described are in the habit of searching 

 for their prey under the surface of the earth, and are furnished with extremely imperfect 



