MAMMALS SORIC1NAE BLARINA BREV1CAUDA. 



43 



much mutilated for accurate description. I can only add, that the longest hairs on the back 

 measure about 0.35 of an inch. 



The skull of this species is very large and massive, with little constriction in the middle por 

 tion. The occipital plane is more vertical than in B. talpoides. The anterior upper incisors are 

 very massive, and there is only a slight indication of any basal lobe on the cutting edge. The 

 second premolar is nearly twice as large as the first ; the third and fourth abruptly much 

 smaller, and nearly equal. Both together do not occupy as much space in the outline of the 

 jaw as the one anterior to them. The fifth premolar is only visible from inside. 



In order to illustrate the comparative dimensions of this species, I have given the same table 

 the measurements of one of the largest specimens of S. talpoides I have yet seen, (No. 2078 9) 

 This, when skinned, could easily be made to measure four inches and over, from nose to root of 

 tail. 



Dimensions. 



I present here the description of a shrew from northern Wisconsin, which differs in some 

 respects from S. talpoides, and may be referred to S. brevicaudus. 



Brachysorex brevicaudus. Size large. Fur long, (over 2| lines,) very soft and lustrous, lying flat to the body. Hand unusu 

 ally large, measuring almost five lines ; foot six and a half; tail about two-thirds the length of head. 



Color, dark plumbeous, with a blackish gloss above, having sometimes a faint purplish reflection. No rusty brown tips or 

 hoariness visible in the fur. Head and body, 3i inches; tail to end of hairs, 10 lines. 



No. 708. Body stout ; nose acute, but broad ; whiskers rather numerous, long, and whitish ; 

 ears small, with the concha but little developed, lapping over the meatus, concealed by the fur. 

 Fur soft and silky, longest hairs about 2 lines. Tail very short, about two-thirds the length 

 of the head ; quadrangular in the dried specimens, and coated with rather long hairs, which 

 form a pencil at the end. Feet more than usually large and stout, especially the anterior ones. 

 These are broader, and have longer claws than the hind ones. The soles are naked, except at 

 the heel ; the first claw reaches the penultimate articulation of the second toe ; the fifth claw 

 nearly to the base of the fourth. The hand is contained only about one and a third times in the 

 foot. 



The prevailing color is a blackish plumbeous on the back and sides, dark plumbeous beneath; 

 much the same everywhere, except a darker gloss above. There is sometimes a faint purplish 

 gloss on the fur above. There is not the slightest trace of dull rusty brown. The hairs are 

 dark plumbeous from their roots. The tail is everywhere like the back. 



