THE IXSECTIVORES 



97 



derived from the typical primitive tritubercular form through 

 the fusion of the paracone with the metaeone. Associated with 

 the latter group from the point of view of tooth form is the 

 curious little Marsupial Mole, Xotoryctes. 



As one of the representatives of the Dilambdodonts the com- 

 mon European Mole, Talpa europea (Fig. 29) has been chosen. 

 The form of its molars with their needle-like cusps proclaims at 

 once an insectivorous habit. Yet the semicircular upper in- 



I II I I I II I If ! I I I I! I I I I II I i I I II 11 11 II I II I 



Fig. 29. — Dentition of European Mole (Talpa europea, 9.337-1). An example of 

 primitive insectivorous dentition with some carnivorous adaptations. 



eisor arch suggests carnivorous approximation, an adaptation 

 further indicated by the prominent sharply pointed sectorial 

 last upper premolar and by the shearing edge produced from 

 the ridge connecting metaeone to metastyle. The last named 

 feature is especially obvious in the first molar. The diet of the 

 Mole consists of earthworms, insects and their larva? and the 

 tooth formula is: 



