33 o INSECTIVORES. 



3 inches in length, exclusive of the tail. This shrew frequents cultivated 

 grounds in Europe, not unfrequently entering houses ; and preys on insects, worms, 

 and the young of the smaller Mammals and Birds. The young are born in summer, 

 and vary from five to as many as ten in number. 



The common musk-shrew (C. suaveolens), of which a figure is given on p. 329, is 

 the second representative of the genus Crocidura in Europe. It belongs to a group 

 characterised by the presence of four small conical teeth, of which the hindmost is 

 very minute, behind the first upper incisor tooth. 1 This group, which is numerously 

 represented in India, includes the largest of all shrews, and those most strongly 

 scented with the characteristic musky odour. The best known, and at the same 

 time the largest, of these Indian species are the brown musk-shrew (C. murina), and 

 the grey musk-shrew, C. cosrulea), the latter of which is commonly termed by Anglo- 

 Indians the musk-rat. Both these species have nine teeth on each side of the upper 

 jaw, and their length may be as much as 6 inches exclusive of the tail. Whereas 

 the hair of the former is of a brownish tinge on the body and feet, in the latter it 

 is more of a slaty hue ; while the feet are flesh-coloured or yellowish- white. In 

 other respects these two shrews are very closely allied, but whereas the brown 

 musk-shrew is found as a rule in woods (although it will occasionally enter 

 buildings), the grey musk-shrew generally, if not invariably, haunts human habita- 

 tions. It has accordingly been suggested that the latter is merely a peculiar 

 variety of the former. The grey musk-shrew is nocturnal, and is a common visitor 

 to Indian houses. During the day it lies concealed in holes and drains, issuing 

 forth at night to hunt over the floors of rooms for cockroaches and other insects ; 

 while thus engaged it utters from time to time a short, sharp squeak. In respect 

 of its insect-eating habits, this musk-shrew is a benefactor to mankind ; but these 

 benefits are accompanied by the drawback that various articles may be so impreg- 

 nated with the musky secretion of the animal as to become utterly useless. There 

 has, however, been much exaggeration as to the penetrating power of this scent, the 

 well-known but absurd story that wine or beer becomes impregnated with a musky 

 flavour from the circumstance of one of these shrews having run over the outside 

 of the bottle containing such liquor, being a case in point. In addition to its 

 favourite cockroaches and other insects, the grey musk-shrew will also readily 

 devour meat, and accounts are on record of an attack made by one of these animals 

 on a frog, and by another on a snake. 



Other Indian musk-shrews belonging to the same group of the genus, such as 

 Blyth's musk-shrew (C. fuliginosa) have but eight teeth on each side of the upper 

 jaw, or the same number as in the European spider musk-shrew (C. aranea). 



THE BURROWING SHREWS. 

 Genus Anurosorex. 



The burrowing shrews are small mole-like creatures, inhabiting Tibet, Western 

 China, and Assam, where they are apparently very rare. They are characterised 

 by their large heads, minute eyes, the absence of ear-conchs, a very short tail, and 



1 In the figure of the jaw of a true shrew (Sorex) on p. 323 there are five of these small teeth. 



