BRITISH SHREW-MICE. , 85 



each side above, and three below. The shrews are 

 all plantigrade, and possess clavicles. 



The common shrew (Sorex araneus of most 

 authors) is extremely common in most parts of 

 England, frequenting hedges and moist pastures, 

 and feeding on worms, the larvae of insects, and 

 young frogs and lizards. In procuring the former, 

 its long, flexible snout is of great service for burrow- 

 ing and rooting in the loose soil. This species breeds 

 in the spring and summer, producing two litters of 

 from four to seven each. There is generally, from 

 some hitherto unexplained cause, a periodical 

 mortality among these little animals in August 

 or the beginning of September, at which period 

 numbers are found dead along pathways and the 

 sides of roads, in most cases displaying no external 

 injury. Many hypotheses have been started to 

 account for this sudden death of so many, the real 

 reason being, in my opinion, the want of water. It 

 is well known that the insectivora are more impa- 

 tient of hunger and thirst than any other class of 

 mammalia, dying if deprived of food and water 

 for four or five hours. I believe, therefore, that this 

 annual mortality must principally be referred to 

 this cause, as during a wet season few, if any, dead 

 shrews are to be found, and in many specimens I 

 have dissected at this period I could find no trace 

 of external or internal injury. 



