CLASS 1. MAMMALIA: ORDER 4. INSECTIVORa. 
141 
THE TEKDE-AC. 
THE TANRECS. 
Tliis family inclucles two genera, the Tendracs and the Tanrecs, both resembling the hedgehog, 
but not being capable of rolling themselves into a ball. They have no tail, are mostly nocturnal 
in their habits, and feed on insects. It is said that they lie dormant a considerable portion of the 
year, even though living in hot countries ; but this is doubtful. M. Coquerel, sui'geon in the 
French marine, says that he kept several of these creatures at Madagascar, during the hottest 
months of the year, the supposed period of their hibernation, and they remained active the whole 
time. Their spines are like stiff pointed bristles, and are by no means so strong as those of the 
hedgehog. It appears that they belong exclusively to Madagascar, and have not been found, 
even in a fossil state, in any other part of the Avorld. 
Genus TENDRAC : Ericulus. — Of this we know but a single species, Ericidtis sjnnos'us, which 
is about five inches long, and covered with spines resembling bristles. It is called Tendrac by the 
natives of Madagascar. 
Genus TANREC : Centetes. — The true tanrecs have the body more elongated than the hedge- 
hogs, and their bristles are less rigid, the spines being covered with soft, silky hair. The head is 
shaped like that of the marsupials. The C. setosus is found in Madagascar, and also in the 
islands of Bourbon and Maurice, but it was probably carried to the latter island by the colonists. 
It is tailless, about twelve inches long, and of a fawn color. The C. armatus has rather strong 
prickles, and is of a grayish-black color. The C. spinosus is little known. Other species have been 
mentioned, but they are not well established. 
THE MACROCELTDES. 
The animals of this family are confined to Africa, and consists of two genera. They are cer- 
tainly very diff'erent from any of the preceding species, nor do they greatly resemble those that 
follow, but their insectivorous habits entitle them to a place here. They have long hind-legs, 
somewhat like the gerboas, rather large ears, long tails, and a remarkable long, proboscis-like nose. 
Some of the species are called Elephant-mice by the English, and the Bat a trom^pe^ or Prohoscis- 
rat^ by the French. They inhabit dry, rocky places, and feed mostly on insects, but some devour 
other small animals, and even vegetables. 
Genus MACROCELIDES : MacroceUdes ; called Bhynchocyon by some naturalists. — Of thia 
