INSECTIVORA. 145 



Sorex tetragonurus, Herm. Common Shrew 

 Is about two inches in length, and with the tail 

 3" 8"'; fur grey, and paler below; tail squared, 

 shorter than the body. Resides in Europe. In 

 Great Britain they occupy holes in the summer, 

 and nestle under hay stacks in winter, feeding on 

 insects. They are not detrimental to cattle. We 

 have, also, 



S. remifer. The Oared Shrew. The largest of 

 those found in Europe being four inches, and the 

 tail 2" 9'" in length ; dark brown, paler beneath. 



S. fodiens. The Water Shrew. Somewhat 

 larger than the square-tailed ; black above ; white 

 beneath. In England they frequent ditches and 

 pools, sometimes in numbers, swim about with 

 great activity, penetrate between aquatic plants, 

 and utter a shrill squeak ; they dive, swim with 

 great ease below the surface, and assume a silvery 

 appearance from the bubbles of air which hang upon 

 their fur. On shore they form extensive and intri- 



2. Myro-sorex. Front lower cutting teeth sharp edged, 

 entire above ; tail with short close pressed hairs. 



3. Sorex proper Front lower cutting teeth rounded, and 



simple above ; tail with short hairs, and longer scattered 

 bristles. 



B, WATER SHREWS. Tail with a series of bristles beneath; 

 feet and toes ciliated on the sides. 



4. Amphisoreoc. Front lower cutting teeth simple; four 

 hinder cutting teeth gradually smaller ; hinder very small. 



5. Crossopus. Front lower cutting teeth sharp edged, and 

 toothed above ; hinder cutting teeth rapidly smaller. .See 

 Proceedings ZooL Soc., 1836, p. 123. 



