INSECTIVORA. 
79 
Shrews and Moles, the incisors, canines, and premolars are by no 
means readily distinguished. Throughout the Order the premolars 
and molars are covered with minute, pointed cusps, suitable for 
crushing the insects on which, as may be gathered from their 
name, nearly all the Insectivora feed. The zygomatic arches are 
generally either weak or entirely absent. The dentition offers 
many important differences : thus the Desmans [Myogale) have 
enormous incisors and small canines, while the opposite is the case 
in the Moles [Talpa) and the Tanrecs [Centetidm) . And, further, 
the whole Order is divided into two groups, distinguished by the 
shape of the molars, which are either triangular and tricuspid, as 
in the Tanrecs and Golden Moles, or square and multicnspid, as in 
the Hedgehogs, Moles, and Shrews (see fig. 37, A & B) . 
Skeletons of all the chief types are exhibited ; the most note- 
worthy are those of the Moles {Talpa) (fig. 38), in which the 
Fig. 38. 
Fore part of Skeleton of Common Mole. A, Side view. B, Front view 
of shoulder-girdle. 
c, carpus ; cl, clavicle ; f, falciform hone ; h, humerus j 7nc, metacarpus ; 
ph, phalanges \ r, radius ; sc, scapula j st, sternum ; u, ulna. 
