CARNIVORA. TALPIDiE. 17 



It lives on insects and earth-worms, which it obtains by constant 

 labor in excavating the earth ; and so perfect are its adaptations, 

 that it suffers no fatigue in this constant and laborious pursuit. 



This animal renders some considerable service to man in loosen- 

 ing the soil, and in destroying insects which injure the roots and 

 herbage of plants. 



It has a great resemblance to the English Mole, and might be 

 mistaken for it, if its dental system were not examined. 



The Shrew, says Godman, is the most active in the morning, 

 at mid-day, and in the evening ; they come regularly to the surface 

 at 12 o'clock. When their habitations are attacked and injured, 

 they will repair them ; hence they appear to be attached to their 

 habitations. In eating, they employ their flexible snout, with 

 which they thrust their food into their mouths by doubling it 

 backwards. 



When taken, they become partially domesticated, as they will 

 receive their food from the hand, and will follow it when moved 

 about in the place of their confinement. 



Genus Condylura. 



Generic characters. Dental system ; incisors § ; canine J~J ; 

 molars f^f ; = 38. Fore feet broad, palmate, formed for digging. 

 External ears none ; nose crested and slender ; tail long. 



1. Condylura longicaudata. Desm. Star-nose Mole. 



Long-tailed Mole, Penn., Hist. Quad., ii. 



Talpa longicaudata, Erxl., Syst., torn. i. p. 118. 



Condylura longicaudata, Harlan., Faun. p. 38. 



Condylura longicaudata (llliger). Richardson, Fauna Bor. Am. p. 13. 



Specific characters. Color bluish black ; body thick, and 

 covered with a thick velvety coat of fur ; head long and tapering ; 

 nose furnished with a cartilaginous star-like fringe, with eighteen 

 rays in the circumference, and two short bifid ones attached 

 beneath the nostrils ; tail long and tapering. 



Description. The color is uniformly bluish black, and the fur 

 covering the whole body soft and velvety. The tail is rather 

 thick near the body, but becomes slender and tapering towards 

 3 



