INSECTIVORA : SORICID^. 



79 



Fig. 65. 



Galeopithecus. 



Archipelago, the Soricidae, the Talpidae, and the Aculeata. 



GALEOPITHECIM: OR GALEOPITHECUS FAMILY. This 

 Family contains only the Genus Galeopithecus. The Ga- 

 leopithecus is closely related to the Bats, but differs from 

 the latter by the fingers of the for- 

 ward extremities being furnished 

 with trenchant nails, which are no 

 longer than those of the feet, so that 

 the membrane which occupies the 

 spaces between them, and which is 

 continued as far as the tail, can per- 

 form no other functions than those 

 of a parachute. Hence they can- 

 not properly fly, but are able, by 

 the sustaining membrane, to make 

 leaps of several hundred feet in ex- 

 tent. They live on trees in the In- 

 dian Archipelago. 



SORICIM:, OR SHREW FAMILY. This Family is charac- 

 terized by a general mouse or rat-like appearance, elon- 

 gated and tapering muzzle, ears with distinct concha, and 

 fore feet smaller than the hind ones. On either flank, 

 or at the base of the tail, are situated peculiar glands 

 which emit an unpleasant odor. In true Shrews the teeth 

 vary from twenty-eight to thirty-two in number. The 

 dental formula is generally regarded as, incisors ~, 

 premolars ~ 2 to |f|, molars ^. The two large incisors 

 in each jaw are directed nearly horizontally forwards, 

 the upper pair curved into a hook, and the lower are 

 straighter, and with the trenchant Fig. 66. 



upper edge more or less lobed. Shrews are found all 

 over the world, and more than twenty species belonging 

 to North America, and distributed among three genera, 

 have been described. They live under rubbish, and in 



burrows which they dig in the earth. 



,, " Water Shrew. 



The Genus Neosorex is character- N. ,wi?ator, c oops r. 



ized by rather short, valvular ears, and Sorex by large ears. 



