1838.] of the Tenasserim Provinces. 359 



that continent : and if so, the Hippopotamus, or some analogous species 

 will probably be discovered in Asia and America. 



But one animal, though infinitely less in size than the Hippopotamus, 

 is perhaps quite equal to it in point of importance ; and may admit of a 

 fanciful analogy in its habits. I allude to the mole the well known 

 dweller under the earth, as the Hippopotamus is the dweller under the 

 waters. The mole in its varieties seems to be common in most parts of 

 Europe, though it is said not to be found in Ireland, and to be scarce in 

 Greece^ while its congenera Chrysochlorus and Condylurus inhabit the 

 Cape, and North America. But as far as I am aware, no example of it 

 occurs in Asia, within the limit of the tropical rains. It is possible this 

 ignorance may be owing to a want of research ; my own journeying in 

 India having been confined to a small portion of Bengal, Behar and 

 Orissa ; where I may almost venture to say the mole does not exist. 

 But I have made many inquiries of men likely to have observed it if 

 present ; whose marches have been extensive, and whom I have requested 

 to inquire into the subject. Among these Ensign Phayre of the 7th 

 Regiment N. I. has travelled through a great part of India from Mid- 

 napore to Goruckpore, the Terai, the kingdom of Oude, and Assam ; 

 and he informs me that he never met with, or heard of this animal, or 

 any of its affinities, though he inquired of intelligent natives of those 

 countries, and made careful observations himself. This is also confirmed 

 by Dr. McClelland, and Lieut. Tickell, and by Mr. Benson of 

 the Civil Service, whose researches into the molluscous animals of India 

 are well known. It will therefore be an object worth inquiring into, 

 whether or not the mole or its affinities, is a native of the countries you 

 are going to visit. 



The Chlamyphorus truncatus of South America, in habits somewhat 

 analogous to the mole, seems to have in others an affinity to the Arma- 

 dilloes of the same continent. If, as has been said, it take the place of 

 the mole in the tropical regions of the west, it is not improbable that 

 some animal having an analogy, or perhaps an affinity to it, may be 

 found in the east. In like manner, as you are aware the Pangolins 

 of this country take the place of the Armadilloes and Ant-eaters in that, 

 and the animal which forms the genus Orycteropus at the Cape, where, 

 as I before said, the place of the mole is filled by the genus Chryso" 

 chlorus. 



To return however to the Pachydermata : Ensign Phayre during 

 his residence in Assam, met with a single specimen of an animal which 

 appears to unite the genera Sus and Dicotyles, possessing the incisor 

 2 z 



