12 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 
they approach closely to those of the Desmans, there being merely some not very 
important variations in the shape, particularly of the upper incisors *. 
The Shrew-mole resembles the Common European Mole in its habits, in leading 
a subterranean life, forming galleries, throwing up little mounds of earth, and in 
feeding principally on earth-worms and grubs. Dr. Godman has given a detailed 
and interesting account of their manners, particularly of one which was domesticated 
by Mr. Titian Peale. He mentions that they are most active early in the morn- 
ing, at mid-day, and in the evening, and that they are well known in the country 
to have the remarkable custom of coming daily to the surface exactly at noon. 
They may then be taken alive by thrusting a spade beneath them and throwing 
them on the surface, but can scarcely be caught at any other period of the day. 
They burrow in a variety of soils, and in wet seasons are observed to retreat to the 
higher grounds. The captive one in possession of Mr. Peale ate considerable 
quantities of fresh meat, either cooked or raw, drank freely, and was remarkably 
lively and playful, following the hand of its feeder by the scent,—burrowing, for a 
short distance, in the loose earth, and, after making a small circle, returning for 
more food. When engaged in eating, he employed his flexible snout in a singular 
manner to thrust the food into his mouth, doubling it so as to force it directly 
backwards. 
From the great resemblance of the Shrew-mole to the common one, they might 
be readily mistaken for each other by a casual observer; and Bartram and others, 
who have asserted the existence of a species of the genus talpa in America, are, 
on this account, supposed, by later writers, to have been mistaken. There are, 
however, several true moles in the Museum of the Zoological Society which were 
brought from America, and which differ from the ordinary European species in 
being of a smaller size, and in having a shorter and thicker snout. Their fur is 
brownish-black. -I could not learn what district of America they came from. 
* Thave termed “first grinders” the teeth named “inferior lateral incisors” by Cuvier, because they have an 
exact resemblance to the other small grinders in form and size. ie 
