514 MAMMALIA. 



willingly submit to captivity. They are also easily fed, their 

 aliment being insects and herbage. 



The Macroscelides inhabit Africa, and live in arid stony places. 

 Three species are known, two of which are peculiar to Caffraria, 

 and one to Barbary. The last is the M. Rozet, and is common 

 enough in Algeria, especially in the neighbourhood of Bone and 

 Oran, where it is known as the Trunked Eat. 



Genus Rhynchocijon. — The Rhynchocyons are also leaping 

 animals, consequently have the hind quarters more elevated than 

 the fore ones, but their bodies are more slim, and they are 

 altogether larger than the Macroscelides. Besides this, they are 

 tetradactylous — that is, their limbs are terminated by only four 

 toes. 



The only species of the genus that is known belongs to the 

 Mozambique. Nothing is certain as to its habits. 



Genus Desman. — The Desmans are specially organised for an 

 aquatic existence. The hind paws are palmated, and their tail 

 is flattened at a certain portion of its length, in such a manner 

 as to play the part of an oar. Their eyes are very small, and 

 their ears scarcely visible. The body is elongated and covered 

 with silky hair of an iridescent hue. At the base of the tail are 

 numerous glands, which exhale an excessively penetrating odour. 

 The nose is terminated by a small compressed trunk ; the paws 

 are formed of five toes, and are furnished with strong claws. 



The Desmans live on the banks of lakes and rivers ; they pursue 

 Insects, Molluscs, Frogs, and even Fish. Two species common to 

 Europe are known : the Muscovite Desman and the Desman of the 

 Pyrenees. 



As its name indicates, the Muscovite Desman is found in 

 Russia. Its size is about double that of our Water Rat ; the 

 odour it exhales is such that it taints the flesh of the fish that 

 are voracious enough to feed on the dead creatures belonging to 

 this species. 



The Desman of the Pyrenees (Fig. 2'2o) is much smaller than 

 the preceding; it is common among the little water-courses in 

 the department of the Hautes- Pyrenees. 



Family of ITedgehogs. — In this family are found the bulkiest 

 Inspctivora, and those which present the least remarkable features 



