CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 4. INSECTIYORA. 



145 



Of the Water Shrews — embraced under the generic name of Hydro-sorex by some authors — 

 there are several species. The S.fodiens, the Common Water-shrew of Europe— the Musaraigne 

 cteau of the French — is of a dark chestnut-color, and about four inches lonir. It lives on the 

 borders of small streams, and swims about in pursuit of insects, worms, small shell-fish, and 

 even frogs and lizards. It is an exceedingly pretty animal, and swims with admirable grace 

 and dexterity. The S. tetragonurus is common in France, and various parts of Europe ; the 

 S. Alpinus is found in Switzerland ; the S. pygmoeus is found in Germany and the adjacent 

 countries. This last, and the S. gracilis, S. Etruscus, and S. Mudugascariensis, are the smallest 

 known mammifers. 



There are several species of sorex found in the United States. De Kay's Shrew, S. De Kayi, 

 is a small species, of a glossy slate-color, with a short tail ; the feet are flesh color ; length of head 

 and body about five inches. It extends from New England to Virginia. The Short-tailed 

 Shrew, S. brevicaudus, resembles the preceding. It is found in Connecticut and the adjacent ter- 

 ritories. Forster's Shrew, S. Forsteri, is found in Canada and New York. The S. Carolinen- 

 sis and S. cinereus are Southern species; the S. Richardsoni, Say's Least Shrew, S. parvus, S. 

 Cooperi, and the Marsh Shrew, S. palustris, are found in the northwestern territories. The 

 Fringe-footed Shrew, S. Jimbripes, is found in Pennsylvania. 



The Broad-nosed Shrew, Otisorex platyrrhinus,is of a dark-brown color, and four inches long, 

 and seems to be an aquatic species. It is found in Xew York and the adjacent States. The 

 Long-nosed Shrew, 0. longirostris, is of a chestnut color, and found in South Carolina. The 

 Sorex persona tus is another species, little known. 



It will be understood that the shrews are distinct from the shrew moles, which are American 

 animals, and will hereafter be described. 



~-^— SH^g 



UBOTRICIirS TALPOIDES. 



THE SOLENODONTES. 



These animals have the appearance oi the shrews, but their teeth are more numerous, and of 

 somewhat different structure. They naturally occupy a place between the shrews and desmans, 

 i There are two genera. 



Genus SOLENODONTE : Solenodon. — Of this there is a single species/^, paradoxus found 

 in Cuba and St. Domingo. It is seven inches long, and of a yellowish-gray color. 



Genus TJROTRICHUS : Urotrichus. — Of this there is one species, the U. talpoides, which is 

 • three inches long, 'and found in Japan. 



Vol. I.— 19 



