230 S0EIC1D.E. 



Sorex olifrurus and S. holosericous, Hodgs. Cat. Mam. Si-c. Nepal Sj- 

 Tibet B. M. 2nd ed. 1803, pp. 8, 9 (uo descriptions). 



Tnng-zhing, Lepclia ; Chika, Newari. 



Muzzle thickly furred. Ears small, bairy, completely hidden by 

 the fur. Feet very thinly clad above and scal_y. Claws long and 

 straight, especially on the fore feet. Tail varying from one half of 

 the head and body, or rather less, to about three fifths ; round (or 

 tetragonal), tapering very gently, thinly covered with short hairs, 

 arising from between small scaly rings. Fur soft, dense, velvety. 



The third upper incLsor is a little larger than the second, the 

 canine or third single-cusped tooth a little smaller. The minute 

 fourth single-cusped tooth or first premolar is only just \isible from 

 the side. 



Colour deep glossy brown, almost sooty black in some cases, dark 

 glossy rufescent brown in others, almost the same throughout, 

 scarcely paler below, a greyish tinge on the abdomen ; basal three 

 fourths of hairs leaden black. Feet brown above ; tail dusky above, 

 scarcely paler below. 



Dimensions. In a large female, snout to vent 3'4 inches, tail I'Co, 

 hind foot 0-54 ; in another specimen these measurements are 3, 

 1-82, and 0-55. Basal length of skull 0-8. 



iJistrihution. This shrew has hitherto only been found in Sikhim 

 and Nepal. It is common near Darjiling at elevations of about 

 4000 to 6000 feet, and perhaps higher. I learn from Mr. Dobson 

 that he has received a Soriculus from IManipur, possibly referable 

 to this species, but probably distinct, being smaller, with a propor- 

 tionally longer tail. The genus will doubtless be found in the hills 

 south of Assam. 



Nothing is known of the habits of S. nif/re.wens ; it is probably 

 a burrower, living in the forest soil. 



115. Soriculus caudatus. JToJfjHonshrown-tootJied Shrew. 



Sorex caiidiitiis, IIodt/s<,'n, A. M. X. 11. ser. 2, iii, ]). 20.3 (1849) (no 



description); Jlor-^ficld, Cat.^. 13-j (18ol). 

 Sorex leuco]is, Ilodf/sov, Ilorsf. A. M. N. II. ser. 2, xvi, p. Ill (ISoo); 



Jerdmi, Main. p. oO. 

 Corsira caiidata, Bliifli, J. A. S, B. xxiv, p. 37. 

 Corsira alpina, Tomes, A. M. N. II. ser. 2, xvii, p. 27 (bS;")!)) ; Bhjth, 



Cat. p. 8(> ; yTerdon, Mam. p.'O]. 

 Sorex lionioiirus ?, Ilodys. Cat. Mam. Sfc. Nepal ^- Tibet B. 4/. 2Md 



ed. 181)3, p. 8 (no description). 

 Soricuhis ^"-nicilicaudn, Anderson, J. A. S. B. xlvi, pt. 2, p. 282. 

 Soricuhis caudatus, Anderson, Cat. p. 200. 



Body shorter, but limbs longer proportionally than in S. nii/rcs- 

 cens. Muzzle very thinly clad with hair. All the lower ])ortions 

 of the limbs nearly naked. Hind feet slender. Claws short. Tail 

 long and slender, alxnit the same lengtlias the head aiul bodv, 

 varying from a Jittle less to a little more, round or teti-agonal, 



