72 
U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS-ZOOLOGY-GENERAL REPORT. 
Talpa radiata, Shaw, Gen. Zool. Maram. I, 1800, 523. 
Sorex radiatus, Shaw, Gen. Zool. Mamm. I, 1800, 531; pi- cxxx. 
Condylura longicaudata, Desm., Mamm. I, 1820, 158. 
Harlan, F. A. 1825, 38. 
Griff. Cuv. V, 1827, 110. 
Rich. F. B. A. I. 1829, 13. 
Fischer, Syn. 1829, 248. 
Giebel, Saugt. 1855, 891. 
Rliinaster longicaudata, Wagner, Suppl. Schreb. II, 1841, 116. 
Talpa longicauda, Bodd. Elench. Anim. I, 1784, 126. 
Condylura macroura, Harlan, F. A. 1825, 39. 
Fischer, Syn. 1829, 248. 
Thompson, Nat. Hist. Vt. 1842, 28. 
?? Rich. F. B. A. I, 1829,234. 
?? Wagner, in Schreber, Saugt. Ill; pi. clvi, A (interpolated from Rich.) 
?? Rhinaster macroura, Wagner, Suppl. Schreb. II, 1841, 115. 
?? Condylura prasinata, Harris, Bost. Jour. Philos. & Arts. II, 1825, 582 (Maine.) 
Radiated mole, Pennant, Syn. Quad. 1771, 313.— Ib. Hist Quad. 1781, No. 351.— Ib. Arctic Zool. I, 1784, 140. 
(Sp. in Leverian Mus.) 
Long tailed mole, Penn. Syn. 1771, 314.— Ib. Quad. I, 1781, 486; Arctic Zool. (2d ed.) I, 1784, 140. 
Sp. Ch. —Tail about as long as body, exclusive of head; color dark-brownish black. 
The Star-nosed mole has the general form of the moles, in the thick-set and clumsy hody, 
large palms, &c., as in Scalops. There is no distinction of neck, hut the head tapers rapidly 
at first from the occiput, then more gently to the very much attenuated snout. The muzzle, 
however, is much thicker than in Scalops ; its tip is truncated perpendicular to its axis, and the 
margins are extended into a fringe of star-shaped processes, 22 in number, around the circum¬ 
ference, the longest (lateral) measuring about .20 of an inch, and distant .35 of an inqh from 
the centre of the nose. These radiated fringes are symmetrically arranged, eleven on each side, 
and though varying in length, preserving the bilateral symmetry. The upper on either side 
have their roots a little further forward than the rest, or nearer the nostrils, which are a little 
below their thickened base. The nostrils are circular, entirely terminal, in the'centre of the 
snout, and separated by about one-tenth of an inch. The whole terminal portion of the muzzle 
is naked, including a small space behind the nasal fringes on the upper surface. 
On the under surface of the muzzle there is a furrow very deep and short, reaching from the 
incisors to the tip of the nose. In fact this furrow is formed by the meeting of one on either 
side, which separates the lips from the gums and teeth ; exterior to this, and parallel with it, 
is a second furrow, which separates a labium on either side, reaching from the angle of the 
mouth to within one-twelfth of an inch of the end of the muzzle. 
The eyes are diminutive, hut distinct, with an appreciable palpebral opening, nearly the 
twentieth of an inch in diameter. It is proportionally as large as in most shrews, and doubt¬ 
less serves a visual purpose. It is situated about midway between the end of the nose and the 
centre of the meatus. 
There is no external ear projecting above the surface of the skin, but the meatus is very large, 
placed obliquely and nearly parallel with the top of the head. It is oval, about .30 of an inch 
in its long diameter, and half as much the other way ; an antitragus and antihelix-valve are very 
distinct, mostly seen below the level of the meatus ; and the auricle itself may he considered as 
indicated hv a sharp edge of the skin. The superior and inferior extremities of the small antihelix 
are united with the posterior edges of the meatus, so as to form a small aperture, or cul de sac. 
