172 WILD BEASTS OF THE WORLD 



Insectivora, being nearly two feet long ; but about half of this is taken up by the 

 tail, which is flattened at the sides and very powerful ; the body passes into it 

 gradually as in a Lizard. The muzzle is broad as in the Otter, and the fur 

 similar ; the eyes are very small, the paws are small and not webbed, and the 

 animal's very rapid swimming seems to be effected entirely by the tail. It feeds 

 on fish, and has never been brought to Europe alive. 



THE TENREC 



(Centetes ecaudatus) 



The Common Tenrec, which is far the best known of its family (Centelida), is 

 not unlike a Hedgehog, but with a longer muzzle, and coarse bristly light-brown 

 hair instead of spines ; it has no tail at all, though some members of the family 

 have long ones. The male Common Tenrecs are remarkable for the large size 

 of their canines, and the females for their great fertility, which exceeds that of 

 all other beasts, as they may have more than twenty young in a litter. All the 

 Tenrec family are confined naturally to Madagascar, but the Common species, 

 being much esteemed as an article of food, has been introduced elsewhere. It 

 feeds, itself, on small prey like the Hedgehog, and is easily kept ; it has been 

 exhibited in recent years at the London Zoological Gardens. 



THE ALMIQUI 



{Solenodon cubanus) 



The Almiqui of Cuba is the sole representative of its family {Solenodontidce), 

 and is remarkable for its occurrence in the West Indies, quite out of the range 

 of the Insectivora in general. In appearance it is more like a gigantic Shrew 

 than anything else ; it is about as large as a small Rabbit, and is white on the 

 head and shoulders and dark behind ; the fore-claws are very large and powerful. 



THE GOLDEN MOLES 



The few species of Golden Moles (Chrysochlorida) are confined to South Africa, 

 and, though resembling the true Moles in general form and habits, differ remark- 

 ably in some points, chiefly in the structure of the fore-feet, which, though as 

 well adapted for burrowing as those of the Common Mole, are formed on a different 

 plan ; they have only four toes, the outer being absent, and all the toes are in- 

 significant except the third, which bears an enormous claw, making up the most 

 efficient part of the foot. Their fur is remarkable for its beautiful metallic lustre 

 of green-bronze and copper, and furnishes a curious case of beauty which cannot 

 be appreciated by its owners, as, in addition to having subterranean habits, the 

 Golden Moles are quite blind. 



