SORICID^. — CLXXXVIII. 327 



drab. L. 11. T. 5f N. N. Y. to Me. and N. (Named for 

 Severn R., Canada.) Typical sabrinus occurs about Hudson Bay ; 

 the form in the northern U. S. is subspec. macrotis Mearns (fxaKoos, 

 long ; ovs, ear). Subspec. silus (Bangs). Similar but much smaller. 

 L. 8^. T. 3|. One specimen known from Katis Mt., White Sulphur 

 Springs, W. Va. ; perhaps a distinct species. (Lat., snub-nosed.) 

 " But we have reached the end of the chain of rodent beings of 

 the earth, the water, and almost of the air, a cycle of mammalian 

 life which circumscribes extraordinary diversity of form and func- 

 tion, revolving about a single central point of organization, namely, 

 adze-like teeth, to gnaw wood with. The number of individuals 

 which make a living in this way in a world of Malthusian strife is 

 simply incalculable. . . . Yet they have one obvious part to play, 

 that of turning grass into flesh, in order that carnivorous Goths 

 and Vandals may subsist also, and in their turn proclaim, ' All 

 flesh is grass.' " (^Coues.) 



Order XLIX. INSECTIVORA. (The Insect-eaters.) 



Teeth of three kinds, molars, canines, and incisors, all with 

 enamel ; brain small, the cerebrum without sylvian fissures ; limbs 

 well developed and adapted for walking. 



A large group of small animals, analogous to the Carnivora in 

 many respects, but the individuals so small as to be unable to 

 attack vertebrate animals, and therefore feeding chiefly on insects. 

 But two of the numerous families are represented in our fauna. 



a. Fur soft, without spines; sides of body without membrane for " fl3'ing," 

 canine teeth indistinct. 

 b. Fore feet not enlarged ; muzzle elongate ; external ear developed ; appear- 

 ance mouse-like Sokicid^, 188. 



bb. Fore feet very broad, with stout claws adapted for digging; no external 

 ear Talpid^, 189. 



Family CLXXXVIII. SORICID^. (The Shrews.) 



Small Insectivora, mouse-like in appearance, with the eyes and 

 external ears developed. Muzzle elongate. Feet normal, not 

 fossorial; the fore feet mostly smaller than the hind ones. Teeth 

 ■^-^|-^; canines obsolete. The most abundant and widely dis- 

 tributed family of the Insectivora, comprising more than half the 

 known species, arranged in 10 to 12 genera. 



a. Ears large, the concha turned backward Sokex, 559. 



aa. Ears small, not visible externall.y, the concha directed forwards, so as to 

 hide the opening; tail short, not longer than head. . Bi.j\rina, 560. 



559. SOREX Linnaeus. (Lat., field mouse.) 

 a. Feet very long, fringed. Aquatic. {Neosorex Baird.) 



