474 ZOOLOGY. 



tlie earth, and whicli they seldom leave till evening ; they feed on worms 

 and insects. Of this genus North America possesses many species, inhabit- 

 ing different districts. 



The shrews are found also in Asia, Europe, and Africa, and are more 

 numerous towards the tropical parts ; the countries where they most abound 

 are tropical Africa, central and tropical Asia. They constitute particular 

 genera in Asia, such as Hylogale^ Hylomys, &c. 



The extinct genus Oxygomphius had a great resemblance to Hylogale 

 javanica, and differs from it in the tubercular structure of the molar teeth. 

 Two species were found in the tertiary deposits of Wirtemberg. 



Several species of Sorex have left their remains on the continent of 

 Europe. 



The genus Mygale (the desmans) is peculiar to Europe ; it differs from 

 that of the shrews in having two very small teeth placed between the two 

 great lower incisors, and the two upper incisors flattened and triangular. 

 There are six or seven false molars, and four bristled ones ; the snout is pro- 

 longed into a flexible proboscis ; the external ear is short and not conspicuous ; 

 the tail long, scaly, and laterally compressed ; there are five unguiculated 

 toes to each foot, united by a membrane ; the eyes are very small. A 

 species is very common in Southern Russia, along the rivers and lakes, 

 where it feeds on worms, larvae of insects, and particularly on leeches. Its 

 burrows, which are constructed in the bank, commence under water, and 

 ascend to such a height as to be above its level in the greatest flood. 

 Another, but smaller, inhabits the Pyrenees. Of this genus, remains of two 

 fossil species have been discovered in France. 



The genus Palceospalax is extinct, and known only by a fragment of the 

 lower jaw, with six teeth in their natural position, which in their structure 

 are intermediate between Mygale and Talpa. A single species was disco- 

 vered on the coast of Norfolk (England). 



The genus MacrosceliMs is characterized by a narrow snout, ending ante- 

 riorly in a long and sub-cylindrical proboscis, having the nostrils at its apex; 

 the eyes are moderate ; the ears large and round ; the body furry ; the tail 

 elongated and seal}', annulated, and furnished scantily with hairs ; the feet 

 are five-toed ; there are two incisors above and two below, and five true 

 molars ; between these and the incisors are, above and below, four teeth, 

 which have been called canines, three of which are probably false molars. 



The five known species of this genus belong to tropical Africa ; the M. 

 typicus inhabits the open country in the interior of South Africa, and is 

 occasionally seen during the day about the roots of bushes or among brush- 

 wood, whence, upon being discovered, it instantly retreats to its natural and 

 subterraneous habitation. 



Fam. 3. Erinaceid.e. The body is generally covered with spines instead 

 of hairs, sometimes with spines and setae intermingled. This family includes 

 the largest species of the order ; they live in woods and hedges, sometimes 

 in burrows. Although chiefly nocturnal in their habits, they often come to 

 the light. The eyes are perfectly developed. Some present the remarkable 

 phenomenon of a lethargic sleep under the tropical zone. 

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