46 



U. S. P. R. R. EXP. AND SURVEYS ZOOLOGY GENERAL REPORT. 



Measurements of skins. 



The first four measurements of 628 and 627 were taken before the animals were skinned. 



Measurements of skulls. 



This species differs from B. brevicauda in the considerably smaller size, smaller hands, 

 longer tail, the colors not very dissimilar ; with somewhat the proportions of B. talpoides, the 

 size is much less ; the third and fourth lateral teeth larger in proportion to the first and second, 

 &c. The feet are considerably smaller in proportion. 



The specimens as above given agree in the main very well with each other, and as indicating 

 a southern species, smaller than B. talpoides or brevicauda. I have referred them to the Sorex 

 carolinensis of Bachman. I am by no means clear, however, that the particular measurements 

 cited by him do not belong really to a specimen of B. talpoides, but he undoubtedly was 

 acquainted with a species smaller than the latter. In assigning a dentition of 34 teeth, or of 

 incisors ^|, premolars ^, molars j|, or one more molar on either side of the upper jaw than I 

 have given, he in all probability was in error, as in no carefully examined skull of any species 

 of shrew, from any part of the world, have the teeth ever exceeded 32. Dekay goes beyond 

 even Bachman, in counting 36 teeth, or incisisors ^, premolars and molars ^Er> *^ us commit 

 ting a still greater error. 



It is probable that the teeth of the skulls examined by Bachman and Dekay were either badly 

 cleaned, or else still in the skin, and seen so imperfectly that two cusps of the same molars were 

 counted as different teeth. 



This character of 34 teeth, combined with the statement of an entire absence of ear, have 

 caused the erection of several genera to accommodate the Sorex carolinensis of Bachman. Thus, 

 Pomel has Cryptotis, and Wagner, Anotus ; both, however, strictly synonymous with Blarina 

 and Brachysorex. 



