The group has a very wide geographical distribution, but there are nevertheless large portions of the globe in which they are conspicuous by their absence. They are never found in Australia or South America. Madagascar, Africa, and the West India Islands produce the most remarkable forms.
Photo by W. Saville-Kent, F.Z.S.] [Croydon.
COBEGO.
Vertical (front) view of the cobego, with newly born and naked young attached. Note the extension of the membrane between the toes of the fore feet of the adult.
The Cobego.
This is a peculiarly interesting animal, which lives in the forests of Sumatra, Borneo, the Malay Peninsula, and the Philippine Islands. It dwells among the trees, moving from one to another by taking flying leaps through the air, covering as much as seventy yards at a jump. Prodigious leaps like this would be quite impossible but for the fact that the animal, which is almost as large as a cat, is provided with a sort of parachute, formed by a broad web of skin stretched between the body on either side and the fore and hind limbs, and between the hind limbs and the tail.
Shrews, Hedgehogs, and Tenrecs.
The variation in form presented by the members of this group is considerable. The most noteworthy examples of this variation are furnished by the pretty little squirrel-like Tree-shrews of India and Borneo and neighbouring lands, the mouse-like Jumping-shrews of Africa, the Hedgehogs, the Tenrecs, the elegant little Mouse-like Shrews of almost world-wide distribution, and the Water-shrews. Of these, hedgehogs and tenrecs have undergone the greatest transformation. By a curious modification of their original hairy covering they have developed a formidable armour of sharp spines. When alarmed, the former roll themselves up into a ball by the contraction of powerful muscles, and so present an almost impregnable armour to an enemy. Stoats and foxes, however, appear at least occasionally to succeed in overcoming this defence and making a meal of the vanquished.
Tenrecs are found in Madagascar. The Common Tenrec is the largest of all insect-eaters, and one of the most prolific, as many as twenty-one having been produced at birth. Of all living mammals it is the one most nearly allied to the Marsupials.