MANUAL OF NATUKAL HISTORY. 15 



ers bluntly-tubercular; index with three pha- 

 langes, usually furnished with a nail ; without 

 nasal disk. Generally of larger size than the 

 Vespertilionidw 



IV. OBDEB,. — Insect-feeders (Insectivora). 



Teeth beset with conical points; limbs short; feet 

 mostly plantigrade ; mammae ventral. Nature timid ; 

 habits mostly nocturnal, subterraneous, frequently 

 aquatic. 



1. Family. — Moles (Talpidae). Head long, narrow, 



somewhat depressed ; nose much prolonged, 

 pointed, flexible ; eyes very minute ; ears 

 hidden ; feet plantigrade. The more typical 

 forms have anterior limbs largely developed 

 and furnished with strong nails adapted for 

 digging ; tail of various lengths. 



2. Family. — Elephant Mice (Macroscelididse). Head 



conical ; nose lengthened into a trunk ; eyes 

 large ; hind legs and feet long ; fur long and 

 soft ; habits of the Jerboas. 



3. Family. — Banxrings (Tupaiidse). Head broad, 



somewhat depressed, tapering to a pointed 

 muzzle, which is divided in the centre by a 

 furrow ; eyes large ; ears naked ; feet plan- 

 tigrade ; toes long, five in number ; tail often 

 broad and hairy like the squirrels, sometimes 

 hairy only at the tip ; habits arboreal, 



4. Family. — Hedgehogs (Erinaceidse). Muzzle point- 



ed ; eyes small and prominent ; body covered 

 above with sharp spines ; feet with five toes, 



