SOREX. 



Fig. 14. 



Twice nat. size. 



Genus. SOREX. 



The bones of Shrews, mixed with those of Field-mice, 

 are sometimes found aggregated in extraordinary numbers 

 in hedge-bottoms, beneath the foundation of walls or other 

 parts of the soil. I examined, with Dr. Buckland, a 

 remarkable accumulation of this kind in a mound, indi- 

 cating the remains of an old Roman encampment, near 

 Cirencester. Dr. E. D. Clarke transmitted to Sir Eve- 

 rard Home a quantity of similar remains, as "bones of 

 a species of Sorex, found regularly deposited in the soil 

 in Cambridgeshire." These specimens, which are preserved 

 in the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, consist 

 almost exclusively of remains of a small species of Armcola. 

 None of them can be regarded as true fossils. 



The remains of Shrew-mice, which have been found 

 in the bone-cave called Rentes Hole, near Torquay, and 

 in the raised beaches near Plymouth, have offered no indi- 

 cation of species distinct from those now existing in Great 

 Britain. The best preserved specimen which I have seen 

 is identical with the Sorex vulgaris.* 



The remains of Shrews from the lacustrine formations 

 of Bacton and Ostend, Norfolk, appear to be referable to 

 the Sorex fodiens, (cut 14, fig. 1, fossil, fig. 2, recent, mag- 

 nified,) and to the Sorex remifer (fig. 3) ; the dentition of 

 the jaws figured is not, however, in so complete a state as 

 to allow of an unequivocal determination. 



* Sorex araneus, Bell, British Quadrupeds. 



