AFRICAN COAST-P.AT. 
It is remarkable that Pennant, in describing j 
this animal, says that " it inhabits the sandy- 
country near the Cape of Good Hope, where | 
it is called Sand Moll:" takinp", as it should ' 
seem, from Masson, the Dutch name Zand 
Moll ; and leaving the latter word untranslated, 
which conveys a vulgar aiid improper idea to i 
the mind of an English reader, and not at all 
connected with a Mole. He repeats, at the end 
of his description — " This animal, from it's 
superior size, I suppose to be the Sand-Moil, 
of Mr. Masson where, undoubtedly, he 
should have given it in Masson's oiiginal 
words, Zand-MojL" 
This animal is by much the largest species 
of the Rat race; being as thick as a Rabbit,' 
and measuring fifteen inches from the nose to j 
the tip of the tail. The tail is only two inch- ^ ; 
es long. If has a large head ; and the nose 
is black, though the natural colour cf the ani- 
mal is a cinereous brown, pale; t on the under 
parts. The end of the nose is fiat, and sonic- 
wliat wrir.kicd. The eves are verv small, and 
ahviost hid in [he ''ur. Tliete is ko appcanince 
of a:2y txtc:n-I ears, the fora.nir.a alone be- 
