100 SOUTH AFEICAN MAMMALS 



This animal is found in the sand-dunes and flats along 

 the coast where it forms burrows. It ranges from 

 Namaqualand past the Cape Peninsula to Knysna and 

 is not found inland. It feeds upon vegetable matter, 

 especially bulbs and roots. 



Genus GEOEYCHUS. 



Resembling the previous genus, but the claws much 

 smaller. 



Georychus capensis. Star Sand-Mole. Blesmol. 



Colour brownish or red-brown above, paler on the 

 sides and greyish below. Head darker. On the top of 

 the head and round the face a series of pure white 

 spots. Head short and blunt in shape ; the eyes very 

 small. No external ear. Tail short, thick, and covered 

 with white bristles. Incisors white and smooth. Length 

 of head and body 8 to 9 inches, tail J inch. It ranges 

 from the Western Cape Colony to Southern Bechuana- 

 land in the north and Natal in the east. The Blesmol 

 burrows like the common Sandmole, throwing up mounds 

 of earth at intervals. It lives on bulbs and roots, and is 

 very fond of potatoes when these are available. 



Georychus hottentotus. Mole Bat. Bruin Mol. 



Colour similar to the preceding, slightly darker above. 

 Size much smaller, length of head and body only 5i in. 

 No sign of white on the bead. 



This is the common species of the eastern and 

 northern districts, ranging from the Eastern Cape 

 Colony and Natal through the Orange Free State and 

 Transvaal 



There are three other less known species, G. damar- 



