33 8 THE INSECTIVORES 



holes after the manner of the water-vole, and being as much at home in the water 

 as an otter. Indeed, the greater part of the creature's time appears to be spent in 

 that element ; the burrow, which terminates in a large chamber above the level of 

 the water, being chiefly used as a resting and breeding place. Its chief food consists 

 of aquatic insects and their larvae, although it probably also devours small fish. 

 Insects and larvae are sought after by means of the proboscis-like snout, which is 

 used to probe under stones and in chinks and hollows. A sharp hissing sound is 

 given forth when the animal is irritated or disturbed. The specific name of the 

 desman is derived from the musky odor produced by the secretion of a large gland 

 situated beneath the rest of the tail ; this taint rendering its flesh quite uneatable. 

 Owing to its beautiful fur, which is not unlike that of the otter or beaver, the 

 Russian desman is largely hunted by the peasants of the regions where it is found ; 

 early autumn being the season when the fur is in the finest condition. 



Although now confined to the steppes of Southeastern Russia, it is remarkable 

 that the Russian desman once extended as far westward as the British Isles, its 

 fossilized remains having been obtained from the so-called forest bed of the Norfolk 

 coast, which was deposited during the epoch immediately preceding the Glacial 

 period. Remains of extinct species of the ge.nus have also been obtained from the 

 Tertiary deposits of the continent as far back as the lower portion of the Miocene 

 period. 



Far smaller than the Russian species is the Pyrenean desman (M. 

 yf ^ ea Pyrenaica), found on both the French and Spanish flanks of the moun- 



tain range from which it derives its name. In total length this animal 

 does not much exceed ten inches, of which about one-half is formed by the tail. It 

 is, however, also distinguished from its larger relative by the greater proportionate 

 length of its proboscis, and likewise by the tail being perfectly cylindrical. In mode 

 of life the two species seem to be very similar, although it has been stated that the 

 smaller one has a more marked preference for a diet of fish. 



THE MOLE-SHREWS 

 Genera Urotrichus and Uropsilus 



A very brief notice must suffice for the curious mole-shrews, which closely 

 connect the moles with the shrews. The true mole-shrews, of which there are two 

 species, constitute the genus Urotrichus, and are respectively found in Japan and 

 North America. They have 36 teeth, of which f are incisors, and either or % 

 cheek-teeth on each side ; and they are further characterized by their broad and 

 unwebbed fore-feet and fossorial habits. They are mole like in appearance and of 

 small size. The Tibetan mole-shrew ( Uropsilus soridpes) is the sole representative 

 of a distinct genus differing from the last by having only thirty-four teeth, a narrow 

 fore-foot, and a naked and scaly tail. In habit it is cursorial ; and while in external 

 appearance it resembles a shrew its skull and teeth are like those of a mole. Its 

 general color is slaty gray. 



