M/iMM/ILS 



261 



best known arboreal members of which are the red squir- 

 rel (Schtrus hudsonicus), the fox squirrel (5. ludovicianus), 

 and the gray or black squirrel {S. carolinensis). The lit- 

 tle flying squirrel (Scitiropterus volans) is abundant in the 

 Eastern States. 



The shrews and moles (Insectivora) . — The shrews 

 and moles are all small carnivorous animals, which, be- 

 cause of their size, confine their attacks chiefly to insects. 

 The shrews are small and mouse-like ; certain kinds of 

 them lead a semi-aquatic life. There are nearly a score 

 of species in North America. Of the moles, of which there 

 are but few species, the common mole {Scalops aquati- 

 cits) is well known, while the star-nosed mole (Coiidyhira 

 cristata) is recognizable by the peculiar rosette of about 

 twenty cartilaginous rays at the tip of its snout. Moles 

 live underground, and have the fore feet wide and shovel- 

 like for digging. The European hedgehogs are members 

 of this order. 



The bats (Chiroptera). — The bats (fig. 209), order Chi- 

 roptera, differ from all other mammals in having the fore 



Fig. 208. — Wing of bat showing elongated bones of fore limb. 



limbs modified for flight by the elongation of the fore arms 

 and especially of four of the fingers (fig. 208), all of which 

 are connected by a thin leathery membrane, which includes 

 also the hind feet and usually the tail. Bats are chiefly 



