12 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



FAMILY II. SORECIDM. 



No lateral membranes performing the functions of wings. Incisors elongated, or spoon- 

 shaped. Molars varying in shape, and with conical points. Muzzle elongated, flexible, 

 sometimes surrounded by filaments. Mamma, ventral. Fur dense, occasionally with 

 rigid, hair's or spines. Strong musky odor. Ears rarely prominent. Eyes exceedingly 

 minute. Soles of the hinder feet applied to the ground. Nocturnal ; subterranean. Some 

 species hibernate. Comprises the smallest of the quadrupeds. 



This family embraces numerous small animals, such as Moles, Shrews, Hedge Hogs, &c. 

 all allied by similar habits. They are for the most part nocturnal, and form their habitations 

 under ground. They all hibernate ; and one genus, Centenes, Illiger, from Madagascar, is said 

 to pass three of the warmest months of the year in a state of torpidity. They are occasion- 

 ally injurious to the gardener and farmer, by destroying roots and seeds, although their chief 

 food is composed of earth worms, grubs and other noxious animals. In this State, we have 

 observed species illustrative of four genera, namely, Condylura, Scalops, Sorex and Otisorex. 



GENUS CONDYLURA. Illiger. 



Muzzle elongated, with radiating cartilages. Incisors six above and four below ; the two 

 intermediate above, largest; spoon-shaped. Cheek teeth fourteen above, sixteen beloiv. 

 Ears none. Feet five-toed ; anterior claws formed for digging. 



Obs. This genus was established by Illiger for the reception of a singular little animal 

 from North America, which had been hitherto described as a mole and as a shrew. The 

 name, although founded on an accidental character, it has been found convenient to retain. 

 We have met with but one species in this State. 



THE COMMON STAR-NOSE. 



Condylura cristata. 

 plate iv. fig. 1. — (state collection.) 



Sorex cristatus. LlNN. Ed. 12, p. 73. 



Long-tailed Mole. Penn. Syn. Quad. Fide Erxleben. 



Talpa longicaudata. Erxleben, Syst. p. 118. 

 Radiated Mole. Penn. Hist. Quad. Vol. 2, p. 232, (fig.) 



Taupe de Canada. Delafaille, Essai sur la Taupe. 

 Long-tailed Mole. Penn. Arctic Zool. Vol. 1, p. 140. 



Condylure a longue queue. Desmarest, Mamm. p. 15S. 



Condylura cristata. Harlan, Fauna Am. p. 36. 



C. longicaudata. Id. ib. p. 39. 



The Star-nose Mole. Godman, Am. Nat. History, Vol. 1, p. 100, (fig.) 



