NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



and of the hairs on the tail, have been separated 

 into two genera, viz. Crocidura and Myosorex. The 

 two genera may be separated by an examination of 

 the tail. In the genus Crocidura the tail has a 

 number of long white hairs, in addition to the 

 coating of short bristles. Whereas in the genus 

 Myosorex there are no long white hairs in the tail. 



In a work of this nature it is unnecessary to review 

 the various species or kinds of Shrews found in 

 South Africa. 



Shrews of one species or another occur in every 

 part of the country. The habits of life of all the 

 different kinds are practically alike. The Musk 

 Shrews differ in size according to the species. They 

 average from 2 to 3^ inches, not including the tail, 

 which is I to 2j inches. Shrews may be recognised 

 in the following way : 



(1) Body mouse-like, covered with soft fur; tail 

 with a thick coating of bristles ; snout elongated ; 

 sides of snout swollen by the roots of the whiskers, 

 which are unusually numerous. 



(2) Incisor or front teeth curved or sickle-shaped, 

 with a cusp or projection at the base on the inner 

 edge, giving the teeth the appearance of the claw 

 of a cat. Lower front teeth projecting forwards, 

 the points fitting in the inner concave side of the 

 upper incisors or front teeth. 



(3) Lower jaw has six teeth on each side. 



