TALPA MICEUEA. 51 



67. Talpa micrura. 



Hodgson. J. A. S. X. 910. — Blyth, Cat. — T. cryptwa, Blyth, — Skull 

 figd. J. A. S. XIX. 217. — Pariam, Lepch. — Biyu-kantyem, Bhot. 



The Short-tailed Mole. 



Descr. — Uniform velvet black with a silvery-gray gloss, iridescent when 

 moist ; snout, nude ; feet and tail fleshy-white, the last very minute. 



Length, 4| to 5 inches ; tail, -j^-ths, sometimes less ; head alone, 1| ; 

 palm with claws, |-ths. 



There is no perforation of the integument over the eye. There are 

 three small upper praemolars between the quasi-canine tooth and the 

 large scissor-toothed premolar, which is much developed, Blyth states 

 that Darjeeling specimens almost want the taU, but that those from Nepal 

 have it. Some I procured at DaqeeUng, however, had the tail well 

 marked. 



This mole is not uncommon at DaTJeeling, and many of the roads and 

 pathways in the station are intersected by its runs, which often proceed 

 from the base of some mighty oak-tree to that of another. If these runs 

 be broken down or holes made in them, they are generally repaired during 

 the night. The moles do not appear to form mole hills as in Europe. 

 The Lepchas do not know how to set mole-traps, and the few specimens I 

 procured at DarjeeUng were picked up early in the morning on the 

 ground or in ditches. 



68. Talpa macnira. 



Hodgson, J. A. S. XXVII. 176.— Cat. Hodgson's Coll. 82. 

 The Long-tailed Mole. 



Descr. — Deep slaty-blue with canescent gloss, iridescent when wet. 

 Tail cylindric, pretty well covered with soft hairs, which extend a little 

 beyond the tip. 



Length, 4 inches ; tail (with the hair), li ; head, li ; palm, |ths'. 

 This species differs most conspicuously from the previous one by its long 

 tail. It was procured in Sikim by Hodgson. 



Blyth has described Talpa leucura, from Sylhet and Tenasserim, differ- 

 ing from micrura in only having two small premolars between the upper 



