Mr. E. Blyth on the Indian species of Shrews. 1 1 



are so closely allied both to CI. ventricosa, Draj)., and CI. lineo- 

 lata, Heldr., and CI. plicatula, Drap., by the circumstance that 

 the striffi at the back of the throat (cervix) are ratlier more 

 distant from each other than the striaj of the penultimate whorl. 

 It is distinguished from CI. ventricosa both by its smaller size 

 and the interlamellar plaits (for the true CI. ventricosa never has 

 them) ; from CI. lineolata, llcldr. {basiliensis, Fitzinger), and the 

 other forms allied to CI. plicatula, both by a distinctly marked 

 keel bounded on each side by grooves, and by the absence of 

 the palatal callosity. Nor docs it ever possess the rudiment of 

 a lower palatal fold so peculiar to CI. lineolata. We shall enter 

 more fully into this subject in the iconographic monograph 

 which we have undertaken to write on the Clausilice allied to 

 ventricosa, plicatula, rur/osa, and parvula. 



Adolf Schmidt. 

 Aschersleben, Oct. 1855. 



III. — Memoir on the Indian species of Shrews. By Edward 

 Blyth, Esq.* With Notes by Robert F. Tomes, Esq. 



As an incentive to the investigation of some of the most imper- 

 fectly known of Indian Mammalia, and not the most inviting of 

 groups to amateur students, we shall here endeavour to bring 

 together, and to reduce or digest into intelligible form and 

 order, the scattered materials available for a monograph on the 

 Indian Shrews. 



It may lead to the discovery of additional real species, and 

 probably to the diminution of the number of present supposed 

 species ; besides conducing to the further elucidation of those at 

 present known and recognized, and especially to a better know- 

 ledge of the extent of their geographical distribution. 



In general the Shrews of tropical and subtropical countries are 

 distinguished by their comparatively large size, and slaty hue of 

 every shade from pale grey to black, with rufous tips to the fur 

 more or less developed, though in some scarcely noticeable f ; 

 the ear-couch is conspicuously visible above the fur ; the tail 

 thick, tapering, and furnished with scattered long hairs, which 

 certain species also exhibit on the body ; and the teeth are 

 wholly white %, and of the following tyj^e of structure. 



The superior front teeth or quasi-incisors (vide J. A. S. xx. 164) 



* From the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 



t In at least some species, the rufous tips ap])ear to increase with age ; 

 and, to a considerable extent, the colour of these animals is dai'ker accord- 

 ing to the increase of altitude inhabited by a species. 



X While preparing this memoir, we discovered a remarkable exception in 

 the instance of Sorex melanodon, n. s. 



