12 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



FAMILY II. SORECID^. 



No lateral fnembranes performing the functions of wings. Incisors elongated, or spoon- 

 shaped. Molars varying in shape, and with conical points. Muzzle elongated, flexible, 

 sometimes surrounded by filaments. Mamma ventral. Fur dense, occasionally xoith 

 rigid hairs or spines. Strong musky odor. Ears rarely prominent. Eyes exceedingly 

 minute. Soles of the hinder feet applied to the ground. Nocturnal ; subterranean. Some 

 species hibernate. Comprises the smallest of the quadrupeds. 



This family embraces numerous small animals, such as Moles, Shrews, Hedge Hogs, &c. 

 ail allied by similar habits. They are for the most part nocturnal, and form their habitations 

 underground. They all hibernate ; and one genus, Cenienes, Illiger, from Madagascar, is saiii 

 to pass three of the warmest months of the year in a state of torpidity. They are occasion- 

 ally injurious to the gardener and farmer, by destroying roots and seeds, although their chief 

 food is composed of earth worms, grubs and other noxious animals. In this State, we have 

 observed species illustrative of four genera, namely, Condylura, Scalops, Sorex and Otisorex. 



GENUS CONDYLURA. Illiger. 



Muzzle elongated., with radiating cartilages. Incisors six above aiid four below ; the two 

 intermeddate above, largest ; spoon-shaped. Cheek teeth fourteen above, sixteen below. 

 Ears none. Feet five-toed ; anterior claws formed for digging. 



Obs. This genus was established by Illiger for the reception of a singular little animal 

 from North America, which had been hitherto described as a mole and as a shrew. The 

 name, although founded on an accidental character, it has been found convenient to retain. 

 We have met with but one species in this State. 



THE COMMON STAR-NOSE. 



CONDTLURA CRISTATA. 



PLATE IV. FIG. 1. — (ST.\TE COLLECTION.) 



Sorex cnsldlus. LiNN. Ed. 12, p. 73. 



Long-tailed Mole. Penn. Syn. Quad. Fide Erxleben. 



Talpa hngicaudata. Erxleben, Syst. p. 118. 



Radiated Mole. Penn. Hist. Quad. Vol. 2, p. 232, (fig.) 



Taupe de Canada. Delafaille, Essai sur la Taupe. 



Long-tailed Mole. Penn. Aictic Zool. Vd. 1, p. 140. 



Condylure a longue queue. Deshabest, Mamm. p. 158. 



Condylura cristata. Haelan, Fauna Am. p. 36. 



C. Imigicaudata. Id. ib. p. 39. 



The Star-nose Mole. GoDMAN, Am. Nat. Historj-, Vol. 1, p. 100, (fig.) 



