FAMILY URSID^. 23 



equal, larger than the preceding, with the heel more robust ; the last very small, with a single 

 colored tip on its anterior margin. Beneath, the incisors are in a line with the lower jaw, 

 with two distant tubercles on the outer margin : The first cheek teeth small, apd lying on the 

 base of the incisor, with a single tip ; the second larger, with two small eminences ; the third 

 largest of all, and with three very acute tips ; the two succeeding similar in shape, but 

 smaller. 



Color. Dark cinereous, slightly tinged with dusky rufous, particularly on the upper part of 

 the muzzle and inferior portion of the neck ; beneath, ash grey. 



Length of head and body, . 2'5. Of head, 0'9. 



Length of tail, 1"6. Height of ear, 0'2. 



I am indebted to Mr. J. G. Bell, a zealous and acute observer, for the opportunity offered 

 of making the preceding description. It was captured last summer at Tappan, Rockland 

 county, in the cellar of a dwelling house, having taken up its abode between the stones of the 

 foundation. It was exceedingly agile ; and when excited, emitted a shrill, twittering squeak. 

 It ate greedily of fresh meat, but died in the course of a few days. Through the politeness 

 of my friend, the Revd. J. H. Linsley of Elmwood Place, Connecticut, I had an opportunity 

 of examining another specimen, which was obtained from a log in the forest in winter, near 

 Stratford. According to Mr. Linsley, it weighed 47 grains ; and he adds, " it is the smallest 

 " quadruped I have seen, and probably the least in America." 



It appears very closely allied to the Long-nosed Shrew of Bachman, but differs in its 

 general color, its larger size, and its proportionally longer tail. Dr. Bachman inclines to the 

 opinion that his species is aquatic in its habits. 



{EXTRA-LIMITAL.) 



O. longirosiris. (Bachman, Ac. Sc. Vol. 7, p. 370, pi. 23, fig. 2.) Chesnut; nose elongated; total 

 length 2 • 8. South Carolina. 



FAMILY in. URSIDJE. 



Stx incisors in each jaw. Teeth of three kinds. Feet with strong claws. Nose moveable, 

 adapted for excavating. Walk on the soles of the feet. Carnivorous and frugivorous. 

 Some species hybernate. 



This group comprises the Bear, the Raccoon, Badger and Wolverine of this country. They 

 can scarcely be said to be prejudicial to man. 



