562 BLARINA. 



Geogr. Distr. State of Mexico, Mexico. 



Genl. Char. Size larger than B. mexicana; hind foot large; large 

 upper premolar with well-developed antero-internal angle and cusp. 



Color. Above sooty plumbeous graduating into a paler shade 

 beneath. 



Measurements. Total length, 107 ; tail vertebrae, 26; hind foot, 15. 



534. fossor (Blarina), Merr., N. Am. Faun., No. 10, 1895, p. 28. 

 MT. ZEMPOALTEPEC SHREW. 



Type locality. Mt. Zempoaltepec, State of Oaxaca, Mexico. 

 Altitude, 10,500 feet. 



Geogr. Distr. 8,200-10,500 feet altitude on Mt. Zempoaltepec, 

 State of Oaxaca, Mexico. 



Genl. Char. Similar to B. alticola, but larger; upper molars nar- 

 row, the large upper premolars lacking the antero-internal angle, the 

 tooth being narrow in front. 



Color. Above sooty plumbeous; beneath paler and tinged with 

 brown. 



Measurements. Total length, 1 1 1 ; tail vertebrae, 29 ; hind foot, 15. 



535. magna (Blarina}, Merr., N. Am. Faun., No. 10, 1895, p. 28. 

 GREAT SHREW. 



Type locality. Totontepec, State of Oaxaca, Mexico. Altitude, 

 6,800 feet. 



Geogr. Distr. Mountains around Totontepec and Zempoaltepec, 

 State of Oaxaca, Mexico. Altitude, 6,800 to 8,000 feet. 



Genl. Char. Largest of the subgenus ; tail scantily haired. Brain- 

 case convex ; unicuspids narrow with small inner cusplet ; large upper 

 premolar, short, broad; the antero-internal angle rounded. 



Color. General color sooty brown, slightly paler underneath. 



Measurements. Total length, 134; tail vertebrae, 42 ; hind foot, 17. 



The next family comprises the Moles, which have strictly subter- 

 raneous habits. Their underground dwelling-place is constructed 

 with considerable skill and ingenuity and affords a convenient lair 

 for rest or refuge. It has been described as a "central nest, placed 

 under a hillock in some protected situation, as under a bank, or 

 between the roots of trees. It is lined with dry grass or leaves, com- 

 municates with the main run by four passages, of which only one 

 joins it directly leading downward for a short distance and then 

 ascending again. The other three are directed upward and com- 

 municate at regular intervals with a circular gallery constructed in 



