354 



VEllTKril.'ATE AXIMAI,>S. 



over the whole world, except iu Australia and South America, where 

 their [ilace is t,-ikeii by Marsupials, such as the Opossums. 



The J/iscriimni are divided into several families, of which the fol- 

 lowing are the most important. The Moles ( Talpioke, fig. 259) are 

 distinguished by having the bod^' covered with hair, the feet short 

 and formed for digging, and the toes furnished with strong, curved 

 claws. There is no external ear, and the eyes are either extremely 

 small, or are completely concealed beneath the fur. They are all 

 nocturnal, burrowing animals. The Star-nosed Moles (Cundi/lura) 

 are American, but their habits are like those of the European Mole 

 (Talpa Eiiroptva, fig. 259). The Golden Moles (Ckn/soc/iloris) are 

 African, and are remarkable for the iridescence of their fur. The 

 Shrews (Soricid(e) are very like the true Mice in external appear- 

 ance, but they are really widely difl'ereut. The body is covered with 

 hair, the feet are not adapted for digging, and there are mostly ex- 

 ternal e;irs, while the eyes are well developed. No division of the 



Fi^'. ifjO.— Insectivoiu. Mfile (Talpa Eirrr,)mi). 



Lisuctirorn is more abundant or more widely distributed than the 

 Snrifidiif, and one of the Shrews is probably the smallest of existing 

 .Mannjials, not exceeding two and a half inches in length, counting 

 in the tail. 



The .so-call.-d " Elciiliant-shrews " (Jfirmscelkhr) of Africa form 

 .■mother family. They are distinguished Ijy their innnensely elon- 

 gated trunk-like nose, and their long Kangaroo-like hind legs. 



Another family (/'Jn'inirriil,r) includes the well-known Hedgehogs, 

 which have the jiower of rolliug themselves into a ball at the ap- 

 jiroarh of danger, and which have the upper surface of the body 

 covered with short ])rickly spijies, forming a ]irotective armour. 

 The dbmuKJU Euro])ean Hedgehog (ICriiHU-ciix /•Siiraj.Kins, fig. 2(;0) 

 is the ty|ii' of tlie family, but other species occur in Africa and India. 

 The '"Tcnicc^" (<;;i/,'/,'.t) of Madagascar are closely allied to the 



