SILVERY SHREW-MOLE. 
253 
surface the hair is plumbeous from the roots to near the tips, where it is 
barred with whitish ; it is tipped with light brown. There is a spot of 
white on the centre of the abdomen, which is apparently accidental, as 
we have occasionally observed it in other species of this genus, as well as 
in the true mole ( Talpa ) of Europe. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Inches. Lines. 
Length of head and body, f p 
“ tail, p 
Breadth of palm, pp 
From tarsus to point of longest nail, - 
HABITS. 
Dr. Geo. C. Leib, who discovered this animal in the prairies of Michi- 
gan, gave us no account of its habits, which we presume are similar to 
those of the common Shrew-Mole. 
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION. 
We have not heard of this beautifully furred Mole in any other locality 
than that where our specimen was procured, which is the only one we have 
ever seen, and the one from which our figure and description have been 
made. 
general remarks. 
Of the several species of Shrew-Mole that inhabit North America, this 
in point of colour is the most brilliant that has yet been brought to the 
notice of naturalists. Although it bears a general resemblance to the com- 
mon Sin ew-Mole, yet the characters it presents have induced us after some 
hesitation and doubt, to designate it as a new species. It is nearly double 
the size of the common Shrew-Mole ; the fur is much longer and softer, and 
differs strikingly in colour and lustre. Our specimen was evidently a 
young animal, although the dentition was similar to that of Sc. aquations. 
Some of the small thread-like teeth that are placed behind the incisors in 
the upper jaw were wanting on one side, and were only barely visible on 
the other. The young of Scalops aquations have but thirty teeth until they 
are more than a year old ; when they have arrived at their full vigour 
they are furnished permanently with thirty-six. The skulls of Scalops 
Townsendii and S. Brewerii each contain forty-four teeth. 
