40 MAMMALS OF THE PACIFIC WORLD 



per incisors project forward as well as downward. In the skull 

 the cheek arch is incomplete. 



Red-toothed Shrews (Sorex) are the commonest insectivores 

 of the northern parts of the world. Species are found in Japan, 

 the Kuriles, and the Aleutians. The Aleutian shrew, its toes 

 fringed with long hair, is partly aquatic in habit. Only one 

 specimen has been collected and that many years ago on Un- 

 alaska Island. These shrews feed largely on insects, grubs, and 

 snails, but often eat vegetable matter also. In Alaska they 

 may get into flour and cereals in storage and do great damage, 

 much as house mice do. 



Two Long-tailed Shrews {Soriculusy Chodsigoa) are found 

 in Formosa. They are close relatives of the common red- 

 toothed shrews but have fewer teeth; their teeth also have red 

 tips. 



White-toothed Shrews (Crocidura, Suncus) are often called 

 musk shrews, because of their disagreeable odor. In addition 

 to having white teeth, they have scattered long bristles on the 

 short tail, mixed with short inconspicuous hairs. Various species 

 occur in Europe, Asia, and Africa, on the Malaysian islands 

 east as far as Timor, and on the Philippines, Formosa, and 

 Japan. Most of the shrews of the islands are about the size 

 of mice. One of the smallest mammals known belongs to this 

 group. 



The Large Musk Shrew or House Shrew {Suncus murinus) 

 is about ten inches long, of which the tail comprises four inches. 

 It is carried about on native boats like the house mouse, and 

 in consequence is widespread. In India people say that if one 

 of these shrews walks over a bottle of wine it ruins the flavor, 

 even through the glass. This may be exaggeration, but the 

 scent is very powerful, offensive, and lasting. 



The house shrew makes a peculiar chatter as it runs about, 

 a noise somewhat like the jingle of coins. For this reason the 

 natives of some regions call it the "money mouse." Besides 

 living in houses, it often inhabits swamps and the margins of 



