150 SORICID^. 



Sorexremifer, Geoff. Ann. Mus. XVII. 182. t. II. f. 1. 



,, ciliatus, Sow. Brit. Misc. t. xlix. 



Musaraigne d'eau, Daubent. Mem Acad. des. Sc. 1756, p. 211. Bur- 



FON, Hist. Nat. VIII. p. 64, t. xi. f. 1. 

 Water Shreio, Pennant, Bvit. Zool. I. p. 125, t. ii. 



In tlie first edition of this work, the present species, 

 with the Common Shrew, was placed in the Genus Sorex, 

 but the diiFerence observable in its dentition, which is 

 also observed in some exotic species of SoricidcB, added 

 to the adaptive character exhibited by the ciliated feet 

 and tail, have induced us to follow the example of 

 Professor Blasius in regarding it as generically distinct. 

 The name of Crossopus, given to it by Wagler, in the 

 "Isis" for 1832, must of course hold precedence over 

 that of Amphisorex bestowed on it by Duvernoy in 1834, 



The habits of this beautiful little creature are clearly 

 indicated by the peculiarities of its structure. Possess- 

 ing the same general conformation as the former species 

 — the same soft short silky coat — a body similarly 

 gracile, and a snout almost equally attenuated, — the 

 addition of stiff cilia to the sides of the toes, and the 

 greater breadth of the feet, together with the fringe of 

 hairs on the under surface of the tail, show that its 

 ordinary pursuits require the use of oars and rudder ; 

 and that while, like all the other species of the family, 

 its food consists of insects, it is in the water that this 

 food is to be obtained. 



The observations of several intelligent naturalists have 

 not only confirmed this conclusion, but have afforded 

 many curious details as to its mode of life ; and we find 

 that its habits are no less interesting than its form and 

 movements are elegant and pleasing. 



An intimate friend, in whose capabilities for accurate 

 observations we place the greatest reliance, being one day 



