SCALOPS AQUATICUS.--LINN.


                          COMMON AMERICAN SHREW MOLE.
                          [Eastern Mole "Common Mole"]

                           PLATE X.--MALE AND FEMALE.


     S. magnitudine Talpae Europeae similis; corpore cylindrato, lanugine
sericea, argenteo-cinereo induto

                                 CHARACTERS.

     Size of the European mole, (Talpa;) body, cylindrical; fur, velvety;
colour, silvery-grayish-brown.


                                   SYNONYMES.

     SOREX AQUATICUS, Linn. Syst. Nat., 12th ed. corrected, vol. i., p. 74.
     TALPA FUSCA, Pennant, Brit. Zool., Quadrupeds, 314.
     SCALOPS CANADENSIS, Desm., Mam., p. 115.
     SCALOPE DE CANADA, Cuv., Regne Animal, p. 134.
     SHREW MOLE, Godman Nat. Hist. vol. i., p. 84, pl. 6, fig. 3.
     SCALOPS CANADENSIS, Harlan, Fauna, p. 32 Young.
     SCALOPS PENNSYLVANICA, Harlan, Fauna, p., 33. Adult.
     SCALOPS CANADENSIS, Emmons, Report on Quads. of Mass., p. 15.
     SCALOPS AQUATICUS, Bachman, Observations on the Genus Scalops, Boston Jour
       Nat. Hist., vol. iv., No. 1., P. 28, 1842.
     SCALOPS AQUATICUS, Dekay, Nat. Hist. of the State of New-York, p. 15.


                                  DESCRIPTION.

     Adult:--Teeth 36, corresponding with the first dental formula of this
genus, given on the preceding page; incisors of moderate size, rounded on their
front surface and flattened posteriorly.  Immediately behind the incisors, two
minute teeth on each side, crowded together--succeeded by four large
false-molars, of a cylindrical shape, and pointed; the fourth smallest, the
fifth a little larger and slightly lobed, and the sixth, which is the largest,
more conspicuously lobed; followed by three true molars, each furnished with
three sharp tubercles.
     In the lower or inferior jaw, sixteen teeth; the two posterior incisors
very small, succeeded on each side by another much larger, pointed, and
extending forward; three false-molars which succeed these are pointed, and the
third and largest slightly lobed; three true molars composed of two parallel
prisms, terminated each by three points, and "presenting one of their angles on
the outer side, and one of their faces on the internal surface; the two first of
equal size, the other somewhat smaller."  Part of the above description is in
the words of Dr. GODMAN, from his very correct and interesting article on the
Shrew Mole, (vol. i., p. 82,) which corresponds exactly with the results of our
own investigations of the teeth of this animal, made at various times, during a
period of several years.
     Young.--We have found in specimens less than a year old, that the two small
thread-like teeth inserted behind the incisors in the upper jaw were entirely
wanting, as also the fourth lateral incisor on each side, leaving vacant spaces
between them, and presenting the appearance ascribed to them by Baron CUVIER and
by DESMAREST; the last mentioned teeth are first developed, the former appearing
when the animal is full grown and all the edentate spaces between the molars are
filled up.
     Body, thick and cylindrical neck, short, so that the head appears almost as
if attached directly to the shoulders; snout, naked, cartilaginous, and very
flexible, extending five lines beyond the incisors; the under surface projects a
little beyond the nostrils, which are oblong and open on the upper surface near
each other; mouth, large, and when open resembling somewhat (although in
miniature) that of the hog; eyes, concealed by the fur, apparently covered by an
integument, and so minute that they can with great difficulty be found.  The
orifice in the skin in which the eye is placed is not of larger diameter than
would admit a bristle.  No external ear; there is, however, a very small
circular aperture leading to the ear, about three quarters of an inch behind the
eye.  The fore-arms are concealed by the skin and the palms only are visible,
they are broad, and might be thought not unlike hands; they are thinly clothed
with hair, and bordered with stiff hairs; the fingers are united at the base of
the claws; nails, large, slightly curved, nearly convex above, and flattened on
the inner surface; hind-feet, small and slender, naked on the under surface, and
apparently above, although a close inspection shows the upper surface to be
covered with fine short hairs; nails, small, a little arched, and compressed;
tail, short, round, appears naked, but is very sparingly clothed with short
adpressed hairs.  On the inside of the thighs, near the tail, is a gland about
half an inch long, from which a disagreeable musky odour issues, which makes the
animal offensive to delicate olfactories.  All our other shrew moles possess
similar glands, and we have perceived the musky smell still remaining strong in
skins that had been prepared and stuffed several weeks.


                                    COLOUR.

     Snout and palms, in the living animal, pinkish flesh-colour; chin, feet,
and tail, dull white; hair on the body, about five lines in length, very soft,
smooth, and lustrous; for three-fourths of its length, plumbeous; tips
light-brown, giving the surface of the hair, above, a dark-brown colour, which
varies in different lights, sometimes exhibiting black, silver-gray, or purple,
reflections.
     There are many variations in the colouring of different individuals of this
species, but none of them permanent:  we possess some specimens which are nearly
black, and others of a light cream-colour; we also have a specimen, the tail of
which is clothed with short hairs, with a considerable tuft at the extremity.
From these and similar differences in various other animals, it is not
surprising that authors have described in their works many as new, which, on
being closely examined afterwards, prove to be mere accidental varieties of some
well-known species.


                                  DIMENSIONS.

     Adult male.                                              Inches.   Lines.

     From nose to root of tail .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     5         8
     Tail .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     0         8
     Breadth of palm  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     0         5

     A specimen from Carolina.                                Inches.   Lines.

     From nose to root of tail .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     4         7
     Tail .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     0         9
     Breadth of palm  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     0         6


                                    HABITS.

     Whilst almost every farmer or gardener throughout the Northern and Eastern
States is well acquainted with this curious animal, as far as the mere
observation of its meandering course through his fields and meadows, his beds of
green peas or other vegetables, is concerned, but few have arrived at proper
conclusions in regard to the habits of the Shrew Mole; and it is generally
caught and killed whenever practicable; the common idea being, that the Mole
feeds on the roots of tender plants, grasses, &c.; while the fact that the
animal devours great quantities of earth-worms, slugs, and grubs, all hurtful to
the fruit trees, to the grasses, and the peas and other vegetables, seems to be
unknown, or overlooked.
     In justice to the farmer and gardener, however, we must say, that the
course taken occasionally by this species, directly along a row of tender
plants, throwing them out of the earth, as it does, or zig-zag across a valuable
bed or beautiful lawn, is rather provoking, and we have ourselves caused traps
to be set for moles, being greatly annoyed by their digging long galleries under
the grass on our sloping banks, which during a heavy shower soon filled with
water, and presently increased to large gutters, or deep holes, requiring
repairs forthwith.  At such times also, a Mole-track through loose soil where
there is any descent, will be found by the gardener, perchance, to have become a
miniature ravine some twenty or thirty yards in length, and a few (anticipated)
bushels of carrots are destroyed.  In neglected or sandy soils, one of these
gutters becomes deep and wide in a short time, and we may perhaps not err in
hazarding the opinion that some of the unsightly ravines which run almost
through large estates, occasionally might be traced to no higher origin than the
wandering of an unlucky mole!
     We kept one of this species alive for some days, feeding it altogether upon
earth-worms, but we soon found it difficult to procure a sufficient supply;
forty or fifty worms of moderate size did not appear too much for its seemingly
insatiable appetite.  At the expiration of four days, another of this species
which we had in confinement would not touch any vegetable substances, although
the care was filled with clods covered with fine clover, pieces of sweet apples,
bread, &c.
     We were much interested in observing, that no matter how soiled its coat
might have become in the cage, it would resume its beauty and glossiness after
the mole had passed and re-passed through the earth eight or ten times, which it
always accomplished in a few minutes.  We frequently remarked with surprise the
great strength of this animal, which enabled it to lift the lid or top of a box
in which it was kept, although it was large and heavy; the box-top was not
however fastened down.  Seating ourselves quietly in the room, after putting
back the mole into the box, the animal supposing itself no longer watched, very
soon raised its body against the side of the box, which was partly filled with
earth, and presently its snout was protruded through the small space between the
box and the cover; and after a few efforts the creature got his fore-feet on to
the edge of the box, raised itself over the latter, and fell upon a table on
which we had placed the box.  It immediately ran to the edge of the table, and
thence tumbled on to the floor; this, however, did not at all incommode it, for
it made off to a dark corner of the room at once, and remained there until again
replaced in its prison.
     When this Mole was fed on earth-worms, (Lumbricus terrenus,) as we have
just related, we heard the worms crushed in the strong jaws of the animal, with
a noise somewhat like the grating of broken glass, which was probably caused by
its strong teeth gnashing on the sand or grit contained in the bodies of the
worms.  These were placed singly on the ground near the animal, which after
smelling around for a moment turned about in every direction with the greatest
activity, until he felt a worm, when he seized it between the outer surface of
his hands or fore-paws, and pushed it into his mouth with a continually repeated
forward movement of the paws, cramming it downward until all was in his jaws.
     Small-sized earth-worms were despatched in a very short time; the animal
never failing to begin with the anterior end of the worm, and apparently cutting
it as he eat, into small pieces, until the whole was devoured.  On the contrary,
when the earth-worm was of a large size, the Mole seemed to find some difficulty
in managing it, and munched the worm sideways, moving it from one side of its
mouth to the other.  On these occasions the gritting of its teeth, which we have
already spoken of, can be heard at the distance of several feet.
     We afterwards put the Mole into a large wire rat-trap, and to our surprise
saw him insert his fore-paws or hands between the wires, and force them apart
sufficiently to give him room to pass out through them at once, and this without
any great apparent effort.  It is this extraordinary muscular power in the
fore-paws and arms, that enables the Shrew Moles to traverse the galleries they
excavate with so much rapidity, in doing which they turn the backs of their
palms or hands toward each other, push them forward as far as the end of their
snout, and then open and bring them round backward, in the manner of a person
moving his hands and arms when swimming.  When running along on the surface of
the ground, they extend the fore-legs as far forward as they will reach, turning
the backs of the hands or paws (as just mentioned) towards each other, and
placing them edge-wise, instead of flat on the earth as might be supposed, and
in this manner they run briskly and without any awkward movement, crossing
beaten-roads or paved walks, and sometimes running swiftly twenty or thirty feet
before they can get into the ground.
     The Shrew Mole varies somewhat in its habits, according to our
observations:  for while a solitary individual will occasionally for some weeks
occupy and root up a large plot of grass or a considerable portion of a garden,
and on his being caught in a trap, the place will remain free from fresh
Mole-tracks for a long period, proving that all the mischief was the work of a
single Mole, at other times we have caught several out of one gallery on the
same day; and while excavating a root-house, the lower part of which was rock,
four of these animals came during the night through one gallery and tumbled down
into the pit, where, the rock preventing their digging a way out, they were
found in the morning.  No others ever came through that gallery while the cellar
was in progress, and those thus caught may probably have been one family.
     Although generally known to run through the same galleries often, so much
so that the most common method of capturing them is to set a trap anywhere in
one of these tracks to intercept them when again passing through it, we have
known a trap to remain set in a fresh track for eleven days before the animal
passed that way, when it was caught; and we are of opinion that many of their
tracks are only passed through once, as this animal is known to travel from one
field or wood to another, and probably the only galleries they regularly
traverse are those adjacent to the spot they have selected for rearing their
young.  In relation to this subject, Dr. GODMAN says--
     "It is remarkable how unwilling they are to relinquish a long frequented
burrow; I have frequently broken down or torn off the surface of the same burrow
for several days in succession, but would always find it repaired at the next
visit.  This was especially the case with one individual whose nest I
discovered, which was always repaired within a short time, as often as
destroyed.  It was an oval cavity, about five or seven inches in length by three
in breadth, and was placed at about eight inches from the surface in a stiff
clay.  The entrance to it sloped obliquely downwards from the gallery about two
inches from the surface; three times I entirely exposed this cell, by cutting
out the whole superincumbent clay with a knife, and three times a similar one
was made a little beyond the situation of the former, the excavation having been
continued from its back part.  I paid a visit to the same spot two months after
capturing its occupant, and breaking up the cell, all the injuries were found to
be repaired, and another excavated within a few inches of the old one.  Most
probably numerous individuals, composing a whole family, reside together in
these extensive galleries.  In the winter they burrow closer to the streams,
where the ground is not so deeply frozen."
     This species whilst beneath the earth's surface seems to search for food
with the same activity and untiring perseverance that are observable in animals
that seek for their provender above ground.  It works through the earth not only
in a straight-forward direction, but loosens it to the right and left, beneath
and above, so that no worm or insect can escape it.  When in contact with any
one of the objects of which it has been in search, it seizes it with remarkable
quickness both with its fore-feet and its sharp teeth, drawing itself
immediately backward with its prize, upon which it begins to prey at once.  The
Shrew Mole passes through loose soil with nearly the same ease and speed that it
displays in running, or "scrabbling" along above ground.  It moves backward
almost as rapidly as it goes forward.  The nose is often seen protruded above
the surface of the ground.
     The snout of this species, although apparently delicate, is most powerfully
muscular, as well as flexible; the animal can turn it to the right or left,
upward or downward, and at times inserts it in its mouth, as if for the purpose
of cleansing it, and then suddenly withdraws it with a kind of smack of its
lips; this habit we observed three times in the course of a few minutes.  The
Shrew Mole is exceedingly tenacious of life; it cannot easily be put to death,
either by heavy pressure or strangling, and a severe blow on the head seems to
be the quickest mode of despatching it.
     Although this spheres, as we have seen, feeds principally on worms, grubs,
&c., we have the authority of our friend OGDEN HAMMOND, Esq., for the following
example either of a most singular perversity of taste, or of habits hitherto
totally unknown as appertaining to animals of this genus, and meriting a farther
inquiry.  While at his estate near Throg's Neck, on Long Island Sound, his son,
who is an intelligent young lad, and fond of Natural History, observed in
company with an old servant of the family, a Shrew Mole in the act of
swallowing, or devouring, a common toad--this was accomplished by the Mole, and
he was then killed, being unable to escape after such a meal, and was taken to
the house, when Mr. HAMMOND saw and examined the animal, with the toad partially
protruding from its throat.  This gentleman also related to us some time ago,
that he once witnessed an engagement between two Moles, that happened to
encounter each other in one of the noon-day excursions this species is so much
in the habit of making.  The combatants sidled up to one another like two little
pigs, and each tried to root the other over, in attempting which their efforts
so much resembled the manner of two boars fighting, that the whole affair was
supremely ridiculous to the beholder, although no doubt to either of the bold
warriors the consequences of an overthrow would have been very serious; for the
conqueror would vent his rage upon the fallen hero, and punish him severely with
his sharp teeth.  We have no doubt these conflicts generally take place in the
love season, and are caused by rivalry, and that some "fair Mole" probably
rewards the victor.  When approached, the Moles attempted to escape, but were
both shot on the spot, thus falling victims to their own passions; and if we
would read aright, affording us an instructive lesson, either as individuals, or
in a national point of view.
     The Shrew Moles are able to work their way so rapidly, that in soft or
loamy soil it is almost impossible for the most active man to overtake and turn
them out with a spade, unless he can see the spot where they are working by the
movement of the earth, in which case they can be thrown out easily by sticking
the spade in front of them or at one side of their gallery, and with a quick
movement tossing them on to the surface.
     They have been known to make a fresh track after rain, during one night,
several hundred yards in length; oftentimes they proceed for a considerable
distance in nearly a straight or direct line, then suddenly begin to excavate
around and across a small space of not more than a few feet in diameter, until
you could hardly place your foot on a spot within this subterranean labyrinth
without sinking through into their track; at this time they are most probably in
pursuit of worms, or other food, which may be there imbedded.
     Although cold weather appears to us to put a stop to the movements of the
Mole, we do not feel by any means certain that such is the case; and very
probably the hardness of the ground when frozen, and the depth at which the Mole
is then obliged to seek his food, may be a sufficient reason for our seeing no
traces of this busy creature's movements during cold winter weather.  We have,
however, often perceived their tracks after a day or two of warm weather in
January, and have repeatedly observed them about during a thaw, after the first
autumnal frosts had occurred.  In Carolina there are not many weeks in a winter
in which we are not able to find here and there traces of the activity of the
Mole.  We admit, however, that even in this comparatively mild climate, they
appear to be far less active in winter than at other seasons.
     From the foregoing facts we are inclined to think the Mole does not become
torpid at any time; and in corroboration of this idea, we find that the animal
is not at any season found in high Northern latitudes.  Dr. RICHARDSON thinks
"the absence of the Shrew Mole from these countries is owing to the fact that
the earth-worm on which the Scalops, like the common Mole, principally feeds, is
unknown in the Hudson's Bay countries."
     The idea commonly entertained by uninformed persons, that Moles have no
eyes, is an error; although our own experience confirms the opinion of others,
that they appear to possess the power of seeing only in a very limited degree.
We must not forget, however, that a wise Providence has adapted their organs of
vision to the subterraneous life they lead.  Shut out from the light of the sun
by a law of nature requiring them to search for food beneath the earths surface,
these animals would find a large pair of eyes one of the greatest of evils,
inasmuch as they would be constantly liable to be filled with sand; thus causing
inflammation, blindness, and eventually death.
     It is not, however, beyond the reach of possibility, nor contrary to the
economy of Nature, to suppose that during the night, when this species is seen
occasionally above ground, or when engaged in running or fighting, or for
purposes we have not yet discovered, this animal may have the power of expanding
its minute orbs, and drawing back the hair that entirely conceals its eyes.
This, however, is a mere conjecture, which we have thrown out for the
consideration of those who are fond of investigating Nature in her minutest
operations.
     The inquiry has often been made, if the Shrew Mole does not feed upon the
grains or roots of the corn, peas, potatoes, &c., planted in rows or in hills,
why is it that this pest so ingeniously and so mischievously follows the rows,
and as effectually destroys the young plants as if it had consumed them?  We
answer, it is not the spirit of mischief by which the Mole is actuated; it is
the law of self-preservation.  In the rows where these seeds have been sown, or
these vegetables planted, the ground has been manured; this, and the consequent
moisture around the roots of the plants, attracts worms and other insects that
are invariably found in rich moist earth.  To the accusations made against the
Shrew Mole as a destroyer of potatoes, and other vegetables, he might often with
great truth plead an alibi.  LECONTE'S pine mouse, (Arvicola pinetorum,) is
usually the author of the mischief, whilst all the blame is thrown upon the
innocent Shrew Mole.  We are, moreover, inclined to think that whilst the
earth-worm is the general, it is by no means the only food of the latter, and we
had an opportunity of discovering to our cost, that when in captivity, this
species relishes other fare.  We preserved one in a cage in Carolina, during a
winter, for the purpose of ascertaining on what kind of food it was sustained,
and whether it became dormant.  It at no time touched grains or vegetables; the
lower part of the cage was filled with a foot of moist earth, in which we
occasionally placed a pint of earth-worms.  It devoured pieces of beef, and for
a week was engaged in demolishing a dead pigeon.  Until the middle of January we
found it every day actively running through the earth in search of worms.
Suddenly, however, it seemed to have gone to winter quarters, as we could see no
more traces of its customary burrowing.  We now carefully searched for it in the
box, to ascertain its appearance in a dormant state.  But the little creature
had forced itself through the wooden bars, and was gone.  We examined every part
of the room without success, and finally supposed it had escaped through the
door.  The cage of the Mole had been set on a box, full of earth, in which the
chrysolides of some sixty or seventy species of rare butterflies, moths, and
sphinges, had been carefully deposited.  In this box we a few days afterwards
heard a noise, and on looking, discovered our little fugitive.  On searching for
our choice insects we found not one left; they had all been devoured by the
Shrew Mole.  This greatly disappointed us, and put an end to all our hopes of
reading the following spring a better lesson on entomology than ever could have
been taught us--either by FABRICIUS, SPENCE, or KIRBY.
     We had an opportunity on two different occasions of examining the nests and
young of the Shrew Mole.  The nests were about eight inches below the surface,
the excavation was rather large and contained a quantity of oak leaves on the
outer surface, lined with soft dried leaves of the crab-grass, (Digitaria
sanguinalis.)  There were galleries leading to this nest, in two or three
directions.  The young numbered in one case, five, and in another, nine.
     Our kind friend, J. S. HAINES, Esq, of Germantown, near Philadelphia,
informed us that he once kept several Shrew Moles in confinement for the purpose
of investigating their habits, and that having been neglected for a few days,
the strongest of them killed and ate up the others; they also devoured raw meat,
especially beef, with great avidity.


                           GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

     The Shrew Mole is found inhabiting various parts of the country from Canada
to Kentucky, in considerable numbers, and is abundant in Carolina, Georgia,
Louisiana and Florida.  It is, according to RICHARDSON, unknown in Labrador, the
Hudson's Bay Territories, and probably North of Latitude 50 degrees.  We did not
see any of them in our trip up the Missouri river, and there are none to be
found on the dry prairies of the regions immediately east of the great Rocky
Mountain chain.  The figures in our plate were drawn from specimens procured
near the City of New-York.  We mention this locality because the colours differ
a little from others that we have seen, and that have been described.


                                GENERAL REMARKS.

     In restoring to this animal the specific name of its first describer, we
have adhered to a rule, from which, to prevent the repetition of synonymes we
should never depart unless under very peculiar circumstances.  The name
"Aquaticus," certainly does not apply to the habits of this species, as although
it is fond of the vicinity of moist ground where the earthworm is most abundant,
yet it is nowise aquatic.  The name of DESMAREST, however, viz., "Canadensis,"
is equally objectionable, as it is far more common in the Southern portion of
the United States than in Canada.
     Some differences of opinion are observable in the works of authors in
regard to the number of teeth which characterize this species.
     Although the genus was, until recently, composed of but a single
acknowledged species (Scalops Canadensis of DESM.), its systematic arrangement
has caused great perplexity among Naturalists.  LINNAEUS placed it among the
Shrews (SOREX), and PENNANT among the Moles (TALPA), Baron CUVIER finally
established for it a new genus (SCALOPS), in which it now remains.  The
specimen, however, which he made the type of the genus, contained but thirty
teeth.  The upper jaw had but three lateral incisors or false-molars on each
side; leaving considerable intermediate spaces between the incisors and true
molars.  In this dental arrangement he was followed by DESMAREST, Dr. HARLAN,
GRIFFITH, and nearly all the Naturalists of that period.  Subsequently, however,
FREDERICK CUVIER gave a correct description of the teeth, which he found
amounted to thirty-six.  Dr. HARLAN finding a skeleton from the vicinity of
Philadelphia, which in its dental arrangement corresponded generally with the
characters given by FRED.  CUVIER, considered it a new species, and described it
under the name of Sc. Pennsylvanica (see Fauna Americana, p. 33).
     Dr. RICHARDSON described a specimen which was obtained on the Columbia
river (F. B. A., p. 9), which contained forty-four teeth, very differently
arranged.  This animal he referred to our common Shrew Mole, supposing that the
difference in the dentition, as observed by different authors, was owing to
their having examined and described specimens of different ages.
     In 1840, Professor EMMONS (Report on the Quadrupeds of Massachusetts)
characterizes the genus as having 44 teeth.  In 1842, Dr. DEKAY (Nat. History of
the State of New-York, p. 15) has very erroneously given as a character, its
having from 34 to 46 teeth, and states that he had once seen the skull of one of
this species containing 44 teeth.
     In an article in the Boston Journal (vol. iv., No. i., p. 26, 1842), we
endeavoured to explain and correct the contradictory views of former authors,
and we feel confident we have it in our power to account for the skull seen by
Dr. DEKAY containing forty-four teeth.
     The specimens examined by Baron CUVIER, DESMAREST and Dr. HARLAN, each
containing but 30 teeth, were evidently young animals, with their dentition
incomplete.   One half of the specimens now lying before us present the same
deficiency in the number of teeth; they also exhibit the edentate spaces between
the incisors and grinders remarked by those authors.  We have, in deciding this
point, compared more than fifty specimens together.  Those on the other hand
that were examined by F. CUVIER and Dr. GODMAN, and the skeleton of Dr. HARLAN'S
Scalops Pennsylvanica, containing 36 teeth, were adults of the same species.
Dr. RICHARDSON'S specimen was a new species (Scalops Townsendii), having 44
teeth, (see Journ. Acad. Nat. Sc., Philadelphia, vol. viii., p. 58).  With
regard to the skull seen by Dr. DEKAY, We have no doubt of its having belonged
to Scalops Brewerii (see Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., vol. iv., p. 32), which has 44
teeth, and is not uncommon in the State of New-York, as we obtained four
specimens from our friend, the late Dr. WRIGHT, who procured them in the
vicinity of Troy.