12 LAKES AND RIVERS. 



larger than the common shrew, from which it is dis- 

 tinguished by being darker on its upper portions, which 

 are separated by an abrupt line from the lighter or 

 lower part : its length, including the tail, is 5 J inches. 

 The nose is flattened, and it has very short round 

 ears, with three internal lobes; the tail is nearly 

 square ; the fur is very velvety, and varies in colour 

 from black to dark brown ; the incisor teeth are 

 bright red-brown at the tip. This little animal is 

 widely distributed in England and Scotland ; it makes 

 a burrow on the banks of a stream or pond, the 

 mouth of which is easy of access from the water ; 

 it dives with facility and swims with great rapidity, 

 making but a slight ripple on the water, so as not to 

 disturb the insects which form its food. I have 

 dissected four, and found their stomachs to contain 

 nothing but the remains of water-beetles, dragon-flies, 

 and their larvae. About twenty years ago, in Sussex, 

 I had a good opportunity of examining these animals. 

 I noticed a family of four, two half-grown, leave a 

 burrow, the entrance of which would about admit the 

 thumb. The old ones taking to the water, swam 

 down the stream, while the young followed each other 

 in diving. There is wonderful benefit to the naturalist 

 in being able to move without noise, and observe 

 without being observed. If a man goes to a marsh 

 and remains for some time perfectly still,- he will in 

 most cases get an insight into the habits of animals 

 which the talkative or bustling observer cannot do. 

 This was the experience of Audubon, of Waterton, 

 and of others whom I have known, of less note. 

 Remembering these precepts, I threw myself full- 



