♦ CAKXARIA. 79 



guishatle, even at a distance. [The general form is not unlike that of the Marsupial genus Murme- 

 robins : and the bony orbits of the cranium are sometimes complete. 



Three species are known, the T. tana, sumatrana, and ferruginea, all of wh'.ch are well characterized by differ- 

 ences (n the conformation of the cranium, in addition to external distinctions : they inhabit trees, and are lively 

 and active animals.* 



All the remaining genera have minute eyes.] 



The Shrews (Sorex, Lin.) — 



Are generally small, and covered with [soft] hair. Under this, on each flank, there is a band of stiff, 

 closely-set bristles, from between which, during the rutting season, exudes an odorous fluid, the product 

 of a peculiar gland. Their two middle superior incisors are hooked, and dentated at the base ; the 

 lower ones slanting and elongated : five small teeth follow on each side the first, and only two the 

 second. There are besides, on each jaw, three bristled molars, and finally on the upper one a small 

 tuberculous tooth. These animals retire to holes they burrow in the ground, which they scarcely 

 leave till towards the evening, and subsist on worms and insects. 



[We have observed them to be much about during the day, under shelter of close herbage, where their sibilant 

 and insect-like cry notifies their presence, and have occasionally seen them venture forth from cover when all was 

 quiet.f M. Duvernoy discovered that their incisors occupy, from the first, the position they maintain in after-life, 

 but are enveloped for a while by the periostcetim or investing membrane of the bone to which they are attached, 

 through which the larger protrude some time before the others : he accordingly infers that these animals have no 

 milk-teeth. The same naturalist divides this genus into 



1. Sorex, Duv. {Croridura, Wagl. ; including Mgosorex, Gray) ; wherein the edge of the long inferior incisors is 

 unserrated ; that of the upper notched, or with the spur appearing as a point behind ; the small lateral teeth which 

 follow are three or four in number, and diminish rapidly in size from the first to the last ; none of the teeth being 

 coloured. The ears are conspicuously developed, and the tail has always longer and coarser hairs mingled with 

 the ordinary short ones. This group, which is very distinct, comprises all the numerous extra-European species, 

 together with three (f>. araneus, Geoff., S. Elruscus, Savi, and S. lencodon, Herm.) which are met with on this con- 

 tinent. None occur in the British islands. One of the most remarkable is 8. giganteus, Is. Geof., from India, 

 which approaches in size to the Black Rat, and has a follicle on each side, producing a pungent musky secretion. 



The remainder have the ears buried in the fur, and consequently inconspicuous. 



2. Amphisorex, Duv. (Corsira, Gray.) — Incisors of the lower jaw with the edge dentelated ; those of the upper 

 forked, the spur behind prolonged to a level with the point in front : the lateral small teeth which follow five in 

 number, and diminisning gradually in size : all the teeth more or less coloured at the tips. The British species 

 have till very recently been confounded together under the name araneiu, which pertains to a continental mem- 

 ber of the preceding division.}: 



3. Jli/ilrosorex, Duv. (Amphisorex and Crossopus, Gray.)— The inferior incisors with an entire edge ; the upper 

 notched, or with a spur appearing as a point behind : the lateral teeth which follow in the upper jaw four 

 in number; the first two equal, the third somewhat smaller, and the fourth rudimentary: tips of all the teeth a 

 little coloured. This division, which comprises the aquatic species, is less distinct from the second than both are 

 from the first. Crostopus of Gray is indeed stated to have the lower incisors dentelated. The British species 

 require further elucidation. § 



The Shrews compose an exceedingly numerous genus, the first section of which appears to be almost generally 

 diffused. They renew their covering both in spring and autumn, acquiring a longer and less glossy winter coat ; 

 and the mode of effecting this is rather peculiar, the change commencing at the head and proceeding backward, 

 preserving a distinct cross line of demarcation throughout its progress. These animals are often found dead on 

 foot-paths, and dry ditches, on spots devoid of herbage, the cause of which remains to be explained. 



• It is remarkable that tne Squirrels of the same region have very 

 simitar fur, both in colour and texture. 



t The common Shrike [Luuiut eollurio) preys much upon our native 

 •pedes.— Ed. 



marshy district*, though not confined to them. 



Chestnut ShMW {A. caltaneuM, Jcnyns). — Snout and fret much u 

 in the last species, but the former ratio r more attenuated ; tail mo- 

 derately stiort, nearly mum!, well clothed with bain, which form at 



1 Mr. Jcuyiis distinguishes them as follows: altareof a rcddi.h- tin- extremity a long pencil : upper parts, as well as the snout, feet, 

 brown colour. and tail, bright chestnut; undi r pfalti ash grey. The craniuiu is 



The Common Shrew (.7. Tuiticui, Jcnyns). — Snout and feel slender : 

 tail moderately stout, nearly cylindrical, not attenuated at the tip, 

 well clothed with hairs, which arc very divergent is the young state, 

 and never closely apprtsaed. It appears principally to frequcut dry 

 situation* — gardent, hedge-banks, &c. 



Irish Shrew (A. tiibrrniiui, Jcnyns). — Admitted as a species doubt- 

 fully, until more spci imens have been examined. It is allied to but 

 apparently smaller than the last, with the colours noil uniform, and 

 tail shorter and more slender. 



Squarc-tnilcd Shrew {A. trtrit^onurui, Herm.)— The snout broad, 

 compared with that of the Common Shrew: leet, the fore especially, 



broader posteriorly and rather im.rc elevate. I in the crown than in 

 A. trtTii^imitrui. It inhabits the same marshy districts. 



, Mr Jenyns distinguishes the 



//. J;tlirm, Gin. — Of a deep brownish-black aboTe, nearly white 

 beneath; the two colour-, distinctly separated OB the sides feel and 

 tail ciliiilcd witli white hails. It inhabits marshes .in. I bvnks in 

 ditches, but is occasionally met with at a distance from watrr. It 

 often seeks its prty at the hot om ol pooll uiol. r water, thus a| ; i - 

 mating in habit to tin- DetBUUU. 



fi.i.Sov. erliv [rrmi/rr of Varrell, and doubtfully of t — 



Black above; grcyish-blai * Ion tth I throat vcllowishssh colour: 



much larger; the tail slender, more quadrangular at all ages, aod feet and tail strongly ciliated with greyish hairs. Is found In tbe 



•lightly attenuated at the lip ; clothed w ith closely appressed hairs in ] same situations as tbe pr. ei -.liti k -. 



the young state, in age nearly naked i upper parts very deep reddish There is reason to suspct t others, one or more marked with rufuua 



brown; below, dirty yellowish-grey. This species U more attached to on the under parts having been Indicated by observers.— Ed. 



