296 Transactions of the South African Philosojjhical Society. 



specimens which in fur are identical are got at both places, it does 

 not seem advisable to regard the dark form as a distinct variety. 

 At Stellenbosch our commonest mole is also C. hottentota, but here 

 all the specimens which so far have been discovered are dark brown. 

 I have carefully compared large numbers of skins and skulls with 

 those from Pondoland, and I cannot persuade myself that they 

 should even be regarded as distinct varieties. The following may be 

 taken as the description of Stellenbosch specimens : — 



Fur on back very dark brown approaching to black on the rump, 

 on the sides dark reddish brown and on abdomen light reddish 

 brown. Forehead very dark greyish brown ; cheeks with a number 

 of light-coloured hairs. Occasionally the light-coloured hairs on the 

 cheek are so numerous as to form a light spot. There is no doubt 

 that here the more brownish specimens are the young animals and 

 the blacker the old animals. One old animal shows a new coat of 

 very dark hairs replacing a brownish fur, and another very old 

 animal is nearly black, though still reddish on the abdomen. The 

 following are the lengths of a series of adult specimens, with the 

 sexes : ^ 127, 2 123, 2 132, ^ 127, ? 120, 2 120, S^ 135, 2 120. 

 The hind foot varies from 13 to 14 mm. 



The skull varies little in size, being rarely under 26 mm. or over 

 28 mm. The following are measurements of an average specimen : 

 Length, 27'7 ; breadth, 17 ; height, 13-5 ; orbital region, 8 ; dental 

 series, 10 ; molar series, 5*5 ; palatal width, 8'3. 



At Stellenbosch both G. hottentota and C. asiatica are found in the 

 same gardens, but they apparently keep certain regions to themselves. 

 Thus in my garden C. hottentota is the species commonly met with, 

 while across the road in the College quadrangle G. asiatica most 

 commonly occurs. It appears probable that C. asiatica prefers the 

 drier and sandier soil, and G. hottentota the richer garden soil. The 

 breeding season of G. hottentota appears to be later than that of 

 the smaller mole. A pregnant female with two fairly large foetuses 

 was captured on August 3rd. As in G. asiatica and other species, 

 the teeth do not cut the gum till the animal is nearly full grown, and 

 they then come through almost simultaneously. The first set are 

 those which serve for practically the whole life of the animal. At 

 Stellenbosch, at least, what happens is this : When the animal 

 becomes aged, which may be when it is a year or two years old, 

 and at a time when it is in full sexual vigour, all the teeth begin to 

 become loose and drop out, the molars as well as the anterior teeth, 

 so that the animal becomes practically toothless. I have seen one 

 specimen with every tooth of the first set shed and no one of the 

 second set yet through the gum. Many other specimens have only 



