520 
THE SAVAGE WORLD. 
ELEPHANT SHREW. 
The American Mole ( Scalops aquaticus ) has a fringed muzzle, and is a 
common sight in the eastern parts of the United States. Its muzzle is longer 
than that of most of the family, and its claws are especially sharp and adapted 
to rapid burrowing. 
The Haytian Agouti ( Solenodon paradoxus) is unusually large-sized, being 
about eight or ten inches in length, exclusive of its tail. It is soft-furred and 
passes its life in the mountains. 
The Almiqui, or Cuban Agouti ( Solenodon cubanus ), belongs to the same 
family as the Haytmn agouti, but has certain peculiar habits. For example, 
when pursued it will, like a young child, hide its head in the first crevice or 
hole, and consider itself securely concealed. 
It also unwisely utters a shrill cry while rob¬ 
bing the poultry yards. The length of its 
body is about a foot, and the tail continues 
the length for about three-quarters of a foot. 
The Swift Potamagale (. Potomagale velox) 
is a water animal belonging to equatorial Africa. 
It is built upon the plan of Winan’s cigar¬ 
shaped ocean steamer, as the long snout and 
oar-like tail seem to be merely elongated con¬ 
tinuations of its stout body. The hind feet 
have the toes connected by a membrane, and the animal is an exceptionally 
rapid swimmer. It is said by some travellers and naturalists to vary its natural 
diet of insects by courses of fish. It is undoubtedly true that it is an enthusi¬ 
astic and successful fisherman, even though its carnivorous tastes be yet unau¬ 
thenticated. 
The Oared Shrew, or Black Water Shrew ( Crossopus fomens), has its 
black coat mixed with white hairs, and its under parts are grayish. The tail 
for some distance is somewhat cylindrical, and the remaining portion is flattened 
like the blade of an oar. Its thick, soft fur is a sufficient protection against 
the dampness of the water. It is sportive, 
graceful and incessantly active. Its ears 
are provided with a set of valves, which 
close automatically whenever the creature 
dives. 
The Rustic Shrew, Etruscan Shrew, 
or Italian Shrew (Corsira rustica ), is ex¬ 
ceedingly minute, being but one and a half 
inches in length, with possibly another inch 
of tail. It is generally believed to be the smallest of the mammal species. 
The Elephant Shrew ( Macroscelides typicus) is South African, and carries 
a thin proboscis of disproportionate size. It is dark brown in coloring, although 
sometimes tinged with red. It is a burrower, rapid in its movements, and fre¬ 
quently sits upon its haunches. 
The Jumping Shrew ( Macroscelides typus) belongs to the Cape of Good 
Hope, and is a burrower. It takes its name from the fact that it has been 
selected as a typical jumping shrew. The Algerian Jumping Shrew ( Macro¬ 
scelides rozeti) does not differ except in habitat, progressing by leaps like the 
jerbillies. 
EUROPEAN SHREW. 
