PARTIAL WATER TRESPASSERS. 



where no one would think that the creatures could pick 

 up a living, and have always been much interested in 

 them. As far as I have seen, they do not appear to 

 travel to any great distance from their burrow, so that 

 although there may be several families of water shrews 

 within a mile, every yard of the stream must be care- 

 fully inspected before they can be found. 



In some respects, the modifications of structure 

 which enable them to become water trespassers 

 resemble those of the polar bear. As in that animal, 

 the feet are the instruments of propulsion, are long and 

 wide, the width being gained partly by the length of 

 the toes, which can be spread well apart, and partly by 

 the fringe of stiff hairs which surround them, and 

 which acts just like the hairs in the rowing legs of the 

 water-beetles. 



The generic name of Crossopus, or tassel-footed, is 

 given to the various Water shrews in consequence of 

 this hairy fringe to the feet. When the creature is 

 carefully inspected, it will be seen that from the 

 manner in which these hairs are set upon the foot, they 

 hold the water like the blade of an oar while the animal 

 is making its stroke, and yield to the water as the limb 

 is drawn forward in readiness for the next stroke. 



We will now revert for a time to the question 

 which was mentioned at the end of the account of the 

 polar bear namely, the capability of fur to resist 

 water. 



At first sight, it appears absurd to suppose that 

 hairs, when laid side by side, can resist the action of 

 water, and keep the animal perfectly dry though it may 

 be submerged for a considerable time. Such an opinion 



