SHREIVS. 



ZZ^ 



thick velvety fur. The total number of teeth is twenty-six, of which there are 

 seven on each side of the upper jaw. There are only two species, of which the one 

 from Assam measures about 3 inclies in length, exclusive of the stumpy- tail, and is 

 of dark slaty colour, with a tinge of brown. 



The interest attaching to these slirews arises from the circumstance that their 

 stnicture is in<licative of burrowing habits like the mole, although nothing is 

 known on this point from actual observation. 



The Swimming-Shrews. 

 Genus Chimarrogale. 



Although the name swimming-shrews would be equally applicable to the 

 water-shrews (Crossojyu.s), and the latter name to the members of the present genu.s, 

 yet it is convenient to take the two terms with the signitication here given. The 

 swimming shi'ews, of which one species (Chimarrogale himalayica) is found in the 

 Himalaya and Mount Kina Balu in Borneo, and the other (C. plafycephaluft) in 

 Japan, closely resemble the water-slirews in genei-al appearance, but are distin- 

 guished by the teeth being entirely white, and likewise by being twenty-eight, 

 instead of thirty in number. These shrews have a small external ear-conch ; broad 

 scalj^ feet, witli a fringe of coarse white hairs on their margins, and on the sides of 

 each toe : and the long tail is also fringetl with similar hairs. The indivichial toes 

 are, however, not connected together by webs. 



The Himala3-an swiunning-shrew has a slatj^-grej' fur above, with the tips of 

 the hairs blackisli-brown. A female measured a little over 4\ inches in length, 

 exclusive of the tail, the length of the latter being 3 inches ; but it is probable that 

 other individuals are eonsiderabl}^ larger. This shrew inliabits the soutli-western 

 portions of the Himalayan range, at elevations from three thousand to five thousand 

 feet above the sea-level ; and it is also found in the hills of North Burma. It 

 inhabits the banks of streams, and, doubtless, .swims quite as well as the European 

 water-shrew. Dr. Anderson has observed it plunging into the water, and running 

 over the stones on the bed of a stream. Like its European cousin, it is said to 

 feed on aquatic insects and their larvfe, as well as on tadpoles, and the smaller 

 fish and their fry. The assumption of aquatic habits by members of both the red- 

 toothed and white-toothed sections of the shrews is an interesting example of how 

 animals belonging to different groups may acquire almost exactly similar external 

 characters, as being essential to their particular mode of life. 



The Web-Footed Shrew. 



Genus Nectogale. 



A still further modification for the purposes of an aquatic life is exhibited by the 

 web-footed water-shrew {Xectogale elrgans) of Tibet, of which a gi'oup is shown in 

 our coloured Plate. In these shrews not only are the feet and tail fringed with hairs, 

 bvit the external conchs of the ears are wanting, and the toes are completely joined 



