50 TALPID^. 



tematists ; Blyth removes them to the end of the Camivora. This iu- 

 terrapts the series perhaps more than the generally adopted plan. 



The Insectivorous mammals may be divided into Talpidce, or Moles ; 

 SorecidcB, Shrews ; Erinaceidce, Hedgehogs ; and Tupaiadce, or Tree 

 Shrews ; all of which have representatives in India, 



Pam. Talpid^, Moles. 



Body, hairy. Pore feet, large, fossorial, with large claws. External 

 ears, none. Eyes, very minute. Tail, short or none. 



Moles are better known in Europe than in India, where they are only 

 represented on the Eastern Himalayas, and the Khasia hills. The body 

 is short and thick ; the legs short and strong, and the muzzle lengthened. 

 The shovel-like hand of the mole is furnished with a curved prolongation 

 of one of the carpal bones, called the falciform bone, which gives additional 

 strength to the hand. The structure of their fore-feet is beautifully 

 adapted for burrowing, being broad and furnished with strong large claws, 

 supplied by very powerful muscles. The hind feet are comparatively 

 small and weak. The eyes are very minute, and in some cases not dis- 

 cernible, the skin over them not being pierced. The l^mpanum of the ear 

 is large, but there is no external ear, though the sense of hearing is 

 very acute. The hairs of their fur are set on vertically, and hence have 

 no particular grain or direction, and can be smoothed down in any direc- 

 tion, so that in moving backwards in their runs, the hairs lie equally smooth 

 as when advancing. Moles are quite subterraneous in their habits, being 

 very rarely seen above ground. They live chiefly on worms and insects, 

 to find which they burrow most extensively. They are found in Europe, 

 Asia, North America, and a peculiar section in Afiica. 



Gen. Talpa, Linnseus. 



a /» n n q q 



Char. — Incisors, apparently ^ or ^ ; molars, ■= =■ or-= — ; but of 



7 ■— 7 7 '—' 7 



these the first false upper molars, and the outermost pair of lower in- 

 cisors, represent the canine teeth. Nose, lengthened, truncated at the 

 point. Eyes, very small, in some the integument not pierced. Tail, very 

 short or wanting. Anterior feet turned outwards, with the toes con» 

 nected or palmate, and with very strong claws. 



True moles are found in Europe and Asia, and, in our province, are 

 restricted to the South-east portion of the Himalayas. 



