I40 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Order Insectivora Insect-eaters 



Canine teeth present but usually not conspicuously developed ; cheek teetli 

 formed for chopping; toes provided with claws; 'brain small. {Species oecur- 

 ring within our limits mostly very small, the largest seldom reaching 200 (8) in 

 length/ eyes small or r^idimentary ; fur distinctly modified for an underground life.) 

 (I n s e e t i V o r a ; N. Lat., insect eaters) 



The American insectivores are readily distinguished among the orders 

 of mammals occurring in North America by their small size, small or 

 rudimentary eyes, soft dense fur, many-pointed cheek teeth, and general 

 modification for an underground life. The order is widely distributed in 

 both hemispheres, but is absent in Australia; and in South America is at 

 present known from the extreme northwest only. Two of the nine fam- 

 ilies into which the order is usually divided occur in North America, and 

 both of these are found within our limits. 



ii 



FAMIIilEIS OF INSECTIVORA 



Fore feet highly modified for digging ; external ear absent( moles) .. Talpidae 

 Fore feet not modified for digging; external ear present (shrews).. Soricidae 



Family Talpidae Moles 



Body thick, stout and clumsy, without distinct neck; eyes rudimentary or 

 concealed ; no external ear; front feet very large, the nearly circular palm held edge- 

 wise; fur very soft and velvety. (Talpidae; from genus T a 1 p a) 



Moles are found throughout the northern hemisphere except in the 

 extreme north. Eight or more genera are known, five of which occur in 

 North America. Three of these are found within our limits. They are 

 all members of the subfamily T a 1 p i n a e . 



GENERA OF TALPIDAE 



Tip of muzzle with a fringe (^f fleshy projections; tail long Condylura 



Tip of muzzle without fleshy projections; tail short. 



Teetb 36; t;iil slender, nearly naked Seal ops 



Teeth 44 ; tail thick, very hairy Parascalops 



Genus Condylura Illiger 



1811 Condylura Illiger, Frodr. syst. mamm. et avium, p. 125. (Type 

 Sorex cristatus Linnaeus) 



Teeth 44; nostrils at tip of conspicuously fringed muzzle; tail nearly as long as 

 &o%, densely haired. (Condylura; Gk., knotted tail) 



The genus Condylura is confined to eastern North America. 

 Only one species is known. 



