MARSUPIAL

MOLE (Notoryctes typhlops)  , the "Ur-quamata" of the natives, an aberrant polyprotodont from central South Australia, constituting a family (Notoryctidae) . This is a small burrowing animal, of a pale golden-yellow colour, with long silky hair, a horny shield on the nose, and a stumpy leathery tail . The feet are five-toed, and the third and fourth toes of the front pair armed with enor- mous claws adapted for digging . Neither ear-conches nor eyes are visible externally . There are but three pairs of incisor teeth in each jaw, and the upper molafs are tricuspid . This animal spends most of its time burrowing in the sand in search of insects and their larvae, but occasionally makes its appearance on the surface .