1(58 



A smaller shrew, which seems to be comparatively common in Vigo 

 county and is found in the Whitewater valley, is Blarina exilipes, (Baird.) 

 This shrew is locally known in Vigo county as the 'Bee Shrew," from its 

 habit of entering the hives and destroying the young brood. 



A form from Hanover, Jefferson county, which is about the size of the 

 last mentioned, was identified by Prof. S. F. Baird as the Cinereus Shrew, 

 Blarina cinerea, (Bach.). 



From Franklin county several very small shrews were sent to Dr. Elliott 

 Coues. He pronounced them the "Least Shrew," Blarina parva, (Say). 

 The species had remained unknown from the time of Say's description. 

 This is, perhaps, the smallest mammal in the United States, and seems to 

 be rather common in the Whitewater valley. 



A specimen from North Manchester, Wabash county, taken by Mr. A. B. 

 Ulrey, proves to be the Common Shrew, Blarina platyrhinus, (DeK), which 

 has not before been found in the state. A revision of our shrews will prob- 

 ably soon be undertaken, and it is very much needed for they are now in a 

 verj- tangled condition. Further investigation will doubtless add other 

 forms to our fauna. 



There are three species described by Puvernoy in 1N42, from this state, 

 that are not now known. They are : 



Brachijsorex harlani, (Duver.), New Harmony, Ind. 

 Brachysorex brevicaudatus, (Duver.), New Harmony, Ind. 

 Amphisorex leseurii, (Duver.), Wabash valley, Ind. 



I should like to request all who have specimens of shrews and other small 

 mammals to inform me of that fact, and to urge upon all our members the 

 importance of obtaining and preserving all such animals they can. Espe- 

 cially is such material desirable from all parts of the Wabash valley. The 

 specimens may easily be dropped into small bottles or jars of alcohol after 

 being tagged and marked, in lead pencil, with date and locality of capture. 

 A little co-operation on the part of the members of our academy, a little 

 thoughtf ulness in saving what is thrown in our way, will do much to clear 

 up many of the murky places in our nomenclature, many of the fogs along 

 the lines of geographical distribution. 



