CARNARIA. 79 



guishaVle, even at a distance. [The general form is not unlike that of the Marsupial genus Myrmi' 

 cobius : and the bony orbits of the cranium are sometimes complete. 



Three species are known, the T. tana, mmatrmia, and ferruginea, all of which are well characterized by differ- 

 ences in the conformation of the cranium, in addition to external distinctions : they inhabit trees, and are lively 

 and active animals.* 



All the remaining genera have minute eyes.] 



The Shrews {Sorex, Lin.) — 

 Are generally small, and covered Avith [soft] hair. Under this, on each flank, there is a band of stiff, 

 closely-set bristles, from between- which, during the rutting season, exudes an odorous fluid, the product 

 of a peculiar gland. Their two middle superior incisors are hooked, and dentated at the base ; the 

 lower ones slanting and elongated : five small teeth follow on each side the first, and only two the 

 second. There are besides, on each jaw, three bristled molars, and finally on the upper one a small 

 tuberculous tooth. These animals retire to holes they burrow in the ground, which they scarcely 

 leave till towards the evening, and subsist on worms and insects. 



[We have observed them to be much about during the day, under shelter of close herbage, where their sibilant 

 and iusect-like cry notifies their presence, and have occasionally seen them venture forth from cover when all was 

 quiet.f M. Duvernoy discovered that their incisors occupy, from the first, the position they maintain in after-life, 

 but are enveloped for a while by the periosfcetim or investing membrane of the bone to which they are attached, 

 through which the larger protrude some time before the others : he accordingly infers that these animals have no 

 milk-teeth. The same naturalist divides this genus into 



1. Sorex,I>av.{Crocidi(ra,VCag\.; including 3/(/o*ore.r, Gray) ; wherein the edge of the long inferior incisors is 

 unserrated ; that of the upper notched, or with the spur appearing as a point behind ; the small lateral teeth which 

 follow are three or four in number, and diminish rapidly in size from the first to the last ; none of the teeth being 

 colom-ed. Tlie ears are conspicuously developed, and the tail has always longer and coai-ser hairs mingled with 

 the ordinary short ones. Tliis group, which is very distinct, comprises all the numerous extra-European species, 

 together with three {S. araneus, Geoff., <S. EfriMcus, Savi, and S. leucodon, Herm.) which are met with on this con- 

 tinent. None occur in the British islands. One of the most remarkable is S. giganteus, Is. Geof., from India, 

 which approaches in size to the Black Rat, and has a follicle on each side, pi-oducing a pungent musky secretion. 



The remainder have the ears buried in the fur, and consequently inconspicuous. 



2. Amphisorex, Duv. (Corsira, Gray.)— Incisors of the lower jaw with the edge dentelated ; those of the upper 

 forked, the spur behind prolonged to a level with the point in front : the lateral small teeth which follow five in 

 number, and diniinisnmg giadually in size : all the teeth more or less coloured at the tips. The British species 

 have till vei-y recently been confounded together under the name araneus, which pertains to a continental mem- 

 ber of the preceding division. $ 



3. Hydrosorex, Duv. (AtnpMsorex and Crossopus, Gray.) — The inferior incisors with an entire edge ; the upper 

 notched, or with a spur appearing as a point behind : the lateral teeth which follow in the upper jaw four 

 in number ; the first two equal, the third somewhat smaller, and the fourth rudimentary : tips of all the teeth a 

 little coloured. This division, which comprises the aquatic species, is less distinct from the second than both are 

 from the first. Crossopit^ ot Gra.y is indeed stated to have the lower incisors dentelated. The British species 

 require further elucidation. § 



The Shrews compose an exceedingly numerous genus, the first section of which appears to be almost generally 

 diffused. They renew their covering both in sprina: and autumn, acquiring a longer and less glossy winter coat ; 

 and the mode of effecting this is rather pecuhar, the chang'e commencing at the head and proceeding backward, 

 presei-ving a distinct cross line of demarcation throughout its progress. These animals are often found dead on 

 foot-paths, and dry ditches, ou spots devoid of herbage, the cause of which remains to be explained. 



* It is remarkable that the Squirrels of the same region have very 

 similar fur, both in colour and texture. 



t Tlie common Shrike (Laniiis coUurio) preys much upon our native 

 species. — Ed. 



t Mr. Jenyns distingruishes them as follows; all are of a reddish- 

 brown colour. 



The Common Shrew {y4. rulticus, Jenyns).— Snout and feet slender : 

 tail moderately stout, nearly cylindrical, not attenuated at the tip, 

 well clothed with hairs, which are very divergent in the young state, 

 and never closely appressed. it appears principally to frequent dry 

 situations — gardens, hedge-banks, &c. 



Irish Slirew (^. hibertiicus, Jenyns). — Admitted as a species doubt- 

 fully, until more specimens have been examined. It is allied to but 

 apparently smaller than the last, with the colours more uniform, and 

 tail shorter and more slender. 



Square-tailed Shrew (^. tctnigonmm, Hcrni.)— Tlie snout broad, 

 compared with that of the common Shrew : feet, the fore especially, 

 much larger ; the tail slender, more quadrangular at all ages, and 

 slightly attenuated at the tip ; clothed with closely appressed hairs in 

 the young state, in age nearly naked : upper parts very deep reddish 

 brown ; below, dirty yellowish-grey. This species is more attached to 



marshy districts, though not con6ned to them. 



Chestnut Shrew {yl. castaneus, Zenyns). — Snout and feet much as 

 in the last species, but the former rather more attenuated ; tail mo- 

 derately short, nearly round, well clothed with hairs, which form at 

 the extremity a long pencil : upper parts, as well as the snout, feet, 

 and tail, bright chestnut ; under parts ash-grey. The cranium is 

 broader posteriorly and rather more elevated in the crown than in 

 yl. ietTitgonurus. It inhabits the same marshy districts. 



y Mr Jenyns distinguishes the 



//. ftidiens, Gm.— Of a deep brownish-black above, nearly white 

 beneath ; the two colours distinctly separated on the sides : feet and 

 tail ciliated with white hairs. It inhabits marshes and banks in 

 ditches, but is occasionally met with at a distance from water. It 

 often seeks its prey at the bottom of pools under water, thus approxi- 

 mating in habit to the Desmans. 



5.ci7ia/w,Sowcrby(rfmi/frofyarrell, and doubtfully of Geollroy).— 

 Black above; gmeyish-black beneath; throat yellowish-ash colour: 

 feet and tail strongly ciliated with greyish hairs. Is found in the 

 same situations as the preceding. 



There is reason to suspect others, one or more marked with rufous 

 on the under parts having been indicated by observers. — Ed. 



