CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 4. INSECTI VOR A. 



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SHREWS. 



THE SHREWS: SORICID^. 



The family of Shrews, which is very numerous in species, have the feet all formed for progression ; 

 that is to say, the anterior members are never converted into organs appropriated for digging. 

 The eyes are always perfect and readily distinguishable, and the external ears, though small, are 

 always present. In other respects, the different animals composing this group exhibit a remark- 

 able variety of character; the dentition presents considerable differences even in closely allied 

 species : the length of the legs and tail, and the clothing of the body, are also very variable. 

 They all, however, agree in living either on the surface of the ground or upon trees, and never in 

 a complicated system of burrows, such as that of the moles ; their jaws are always more or less 

 elongated, and the nose is usually prolonged into a movable snout. The soricidce are found in 

 all parts of the world ; they are of small size, and their nourishment consists principally of insects, 

 although some species also feed on vegetable matter. 



Genus SHREW : Sorex. — In the typical shrews, forming the genus Sorex and its allies, the form 

 of the body presents a close resemblance to that of the mice and rats, whence the name ofshreiv-mice 

 is frequently applied to the common species. Their legs are of nearly equal length, and terminate 

 in five toes, which are armed with small claws, and usually free, though not unfrequently united 

 by a swimming membrane. The nose is more or less produced, and the tail is elongated, usually 

 tapering, covered with scales like that of the mice, and with a greater or less number of bristles. 

 The skin is clothed with short fur. Some of these are among the most diminutive of the mam- 

 malia, and the largest of them are about the size of a rat. They are generally furnished with 

 peculiar glands, secreting a fluid of a disagreeable odor, which prevents cats and dogs from eating 

 them, although they will not unfrequently kill them, probably mistaking them for mice. They 

 live for the most part upon insects, worms, and small mollusca; the larger species also prey on 

 small vertebrata. 



The Common Shrew, S. araneus, the most familiar European species,.is about two and a half inches 

 long, and of a gray fawn-color. Its food consists of insects and worms. It inhabits the woods, 

 the country, and gardens, making its retreats in old walls, heaps of stones, and holes in the earth, 

 and is frequently found near hay -ricks, dung-hills, and similar places. On" the approach of winter, 

 it gathers near the abodes of man. It is subject to an annual mortality ; about August, they are 

 found dead in great numbers — a fact not satisfactorily accounted for. Though dogs and cats will 





