THE OARED-SHREW. 



93 



is removed, on the shrew rising to the surface, they 

 reopen spontaneously. Without this provision of 

 nature, the animal would constantly be annoyed by 

 the water filling the cavities and irritating the 

 delicate membranes of the ear. 



The dimensions of full-grown individuals of the 

 three species are as follows : 



COMMON SHREW. 



in. lines. 



Total length 4 1 



Head 1 2 



Tail 1 9 



Hind foot 3 



WATER-SHREW. 



Total length 5 7 



Head 1 5 



Tail 2 1 



Hind foot 5 



OARED-SHREW. 



Total length 6 1 



Head ... 1 7 



Tail 2 4 



Hind foot 7 



