454 
MAMMALIA. 
them in their dental system, but are specially organised with a 
view to a subterranean existence. 
These animals are armed with stout claws, with which they dig 
out runs through loose soils, cutting in two, with their powerful 
incisors, the roots which obstruct their path. Their habits of life 
are, in short, almost exactly the same as those of the Moles, of 
which we shall speak when treating of the insectivorous animals. 
They are heavy in shape, with a thick-set body, and a short tail, 
or sometimes no tail at all ; their head is large, with a flattened 
skull, slightly developed external ears, and very small eyes. In 
the Blind Mole-Bat, indeed, the latter organs are entirely want- 
ing ; or if they exist at all, they can be of no use for purposes of 
vision, being almost imperceptible, and entirely covered by skin. 
Fig. 188. — Mole-rat (Spalax typhtus). 
The Mole-Bats feed on seeds and roots. They are natives of 
the east of Europe, Asia, and Africa. They have been divided 
into several genera, the principal ones being the Spalax, the 
African Mole-Bat, and the Bhyzomys. 
The Mole-Bat (Eig. 188) is the type of the whole group. It has 
a very long and angular- shaped head, which it actually uses as a 
kind of wedge in burrowing. It is devoid of tail, and differs but 
little in size from the Black Bat. It is described by Buffon 
under the name of Zemni. It is found in Asia Minor, Southern 
Bussia, Hungary, and even Greece. 
The Coast-Bats or Sand-Moles are natives of Africa. They 
