340 VERTEBRATE ANIMALS. 
—the Pteropus edulis or Kalong—attaining a length of from 
four to five feet from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. 
ORDER XII. INSECTIVORA.—The twelfth order of Mammals 
is that of the /7sect¢vora, which comprises a number of small 
animals, very similar in many respects to the Rodents, but 
wanting the peculiar incisors of that order, and also being pro- 
vided with clavicles. All the three 
kinds of teeth are present, but the 
dentition is very various, and the 
only common character is that the 
crowns of the molar teeth are 
furnished with small pointed emin- 
ences or cusps, adapted for crush- 
. ing insects. All the toes have 
oe Sistine ae claws; there are usually five toes 
ius Biurakewey. to each foot, and most of the /7- 
sectivora are plantigrade, that is 
to say, walk upon the soles of the feet. They are all small, 
and they exist over the whole world, except in Australia and 
South America, where their place is taken by Marsupials, such 
as the Opossums. 
The Jnsectivora are divided into the three families of the 
Moles (Zadfide), the Shrews (Soricide), and the Hedgehogs 
(Evinaceidz), The Moles (fig. 186) are distinguished by having 
Fig. 186.—Insectivora. Mole (Zaléa Europea). 
the body covered with hair, the feet short and formed for dig- 
ging, and the toes furnished with strong, curved claws. There 
is no external ear, and the eyes are either extremely small, or 
