THE 
ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
CHAPTER I. 
LIMITATION OF SPECIES-CENTRES OF CREATION-FACTS AND FIC- 
TION-FAUNA OF AMERICA— OBJECT OF THIS WORK— BATS— 
THEIR HABITS— THE SHREW-MOLE— ANECDOTE— THE STAR-NOSED 
MOLE— THE SHREW-MOUSE. 
One of the most remarkable things that strikes even a 
casual observer, in taking a view of the Animal kingdom, is 
the manner in which species are distributed over the globe ; 
but to understand this, it is necessary to look at the different 
influences which circumstances exercise over them. Each 
division of the world has a fauna (or group of animals) 
peculiar to itself, characterized by some remarkable species 
found there only. This has been termed the “ limitation or 
colonization” of species, and has given rise to many theories ; 
— one affirming that each race originated in the spot destined 
for it ; another, that the same country saw the birth of every 
distinct race, which, migrating, and leaving no trace of their 
passage, colonized as it were, eastward and westward, and in 
the island groups of the Southern Ocean, as either place 
was best adapted for their development ; while some again 
maintain that there was originally but one form created, from 
which all others have risen ad infinitum , being so changed 
by climate and circumstances, as to eventually cause distinct 
