( 229 ) 

 THE WATER SHREW*. 



WATER MOLE., OR LAVELLAN. 



THE Water Shrew is an inhabitant of some parts 

 of France, Germany,, Prussia,, and Great Britain. 

 In France it was unknown till the year 1756, when 

 it was first observed and described by the justly 

 celebrated Daubenton. It has been long recog- 

 nized as a native of England ; but it is by no means 

 a common animal. It is occasionally met with in 

 the counties of Lincoln, Cumberland, and Lan- 

 caster. I have found it in the parish of Christ- 

 church, Hants; and Dr. Maton informs me, that 

 he has seen it in the vicinity of the river Avon, at 

 Alderbury, near Salisbury. 



This Shrew inhabits the banks of ditches, streams, 

 and rivers; and seems, says Mr. Pennant, to be the 

 same animal which the inhabitants of Sutherland 

 call the Water Mole, and those of Cathness, La- 

 vellan-\. By the latter it is held in great abhor- 



* Sorcx fodiens. Linnceus. La Musaraigne d'Eau. Buffbn. 

 For the description of the Water Shrew, see the Synopsis, p. 37, 

 No. 21. 



f Penn. Brit. Zool. i. p. 127. 



Q, 3 rence, 



