354 VERTEBKATE ANIMALS. 



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

 their place is taken by Marsupials, such as the Opossums. 



The Tiisectieom are divided into several families, of which the fol- 

 lowing are the most important. The Moles ( Talj/idfe, fig. 259) are 

 distinguished by having the body 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 (Condylura) 

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

 {Tal-iJii Europcea, fig. 2.39). The Golden Moles {Chrysochloris) are 

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

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

 ance, but they are really widely diflFerent. The body is covered with 

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

 ternal ears, while the eyes are well developed. No division of the 



Fig. 259.— Insectivora. Mole (Talpa Europcea). 



Iiisectioora is more abundant or more widely distributed than the 

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

 jNfaramals, not exceeding two and a half inches in length, counting 

 in the tail. 



The so-called " Elephant-shrews " (Jf(rr(isfr/id(e) of Africa form 

 another family. They are distinguished by their immensely elon- 

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



Another family (Eriiiaceidce) includes the well-known Hedgehogs, 

 which have the power of rolling themselves into a ball at the ap- 

 proach of danger, and which have the upjjer surface of the body 

 covered with shoi't prickly spines, forming a protective armour. 

 The common European Hedgehog {Erinuveus Europaua, fig. 260) 

 is the type of the family, but other species occur in Africa and India. 

 The "Teurec^" {Cciitetus) of Madagascar are closely allied to the 



