SOREX 77 



Genus SOREX. 



1758. SOREX, Carolus Linnaeus, Sysiema Natures, x., 53; xii., 73, 1766; based on 

 S. araneus—X.yY)& ; see Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. (London), 191 1, 143, published 

 March 191 1— and two other species ; not Sorex oi Duvernoy, i835 = Cr0CIDURA. 



1829. OXYRHIN, Jakob Kaup, System der Europdischen Thierwelt, i., 120 ; based on 

 the indeterminable Sorex constrictus of Hermann in Zimmermann, Geographische 

 Geschichte des Menschen, etc., 1780, sp. 313 ; and Sorex tetragonurus of Hermann in 

 Zimmermann = 5. araneus tetragonurus ; both described from Strassburg, Germany. 



1835. Hydrosorex (part), G. L. Duvernoy, Mem. Soc. Mus. d'Hist. Nat. (Strass- 

 burg), 17th June and 2nd December 1834, 17 and 33, pi. i., figs. 2 and 2b, pi. ii., 

 figs. 4 and 5 ; based on Sorex fodiens, description + S. ara?ieus, figure of skull 

 of ; and S. tetragonurus = S. araneus tetragonurus. 



1838. Amphisorex, G. L. Duvernoy, LInstitut (Paris), Ann. vi.. No. 226, 112, 

 April, and Mem. Soc. Mus. d'Hist. Nat. (Strassburg), Suppl., 4, 30th January 1838 ; 

 based on 5. tetragonurus of Hermann, and other species ; preoccupied by Amphi- 

 sorex of Duvernoy, Mtfm. cit., 17th June and 2nd December 1834 (published 1835), 

 23, pi. i., fig. lb, pi. ii., fig. 6 = Neomys of Kaup, 1829. 



1838. CORSIRA, J. E. Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. (London), 1837, 123, published 14th June 

 1838 ; based on S. vulgaris of Linnaeus = 6". araneus. 



1842. Otisorex, J. E. de Kay, Zoology of New York, i., Maimnals, 22-23, pl- v-> 

 fig. I ; based on O. platyrhinus of de Kay = S. personatus of Geoffroy and O. 

 longirostris of de Kay = .S'. lotigirostris of Bachman. 



1890. Homalurus, E. Schultz, Schriften des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins des 

 Harzes (Wernigerode), v., 28 ; based on S, alpinus of Schinz ; ? preoccupied by 

 HOMALURA of Meigen, 1826, a genus of Diptera. 



Synonymy: — There is in this case fortunately no difference 

 of opinion as to the nomenclature. 



The genus Sorex, as at present restricted, includes a number 

 of mouse-like forms, all characterised by small size and 

 elongated bodies, and inhabitants of the northern regions of 

 the Old and New Worlds. They are thickly coated with hair, 

 which is changed by a moult in spring and autumn. The long 

 and pointed muzzle, which projects considerably in front of the 

 lower jaw, carries the prominent nostrils at its extremity. 



The eye is minute, and the sight is probably poor. The ear, 

 although without prominent external parts, is well developed, and 

 the opening is provided with three valves (Plate VI., Figs, i and 

 2), a small one in the position of the tragus, a larger antitragial, 

 and, above the latter, a third, of size similar to the last, situated 

 somewhat in the position of the human antihelix ; the two latter 

 carry tufts of hair. Both hand and foot are simple, formed for 

 running, and each has five well-developed, clawed digits, of 

 which the central is the longest. The tail is long and 



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