232 DR. J. ANDERSON ON ASIATIC SHREWS. [Mar. 4, 



second and third small lateral teeth, so that the dental formula is 

 2±i_j-? + ^1 = 30. There are two Indian Shrews belonging to this 

 genus, viz. Soriculus nigrescens, Blyth, and Corsira alpina, Schinz, 

 apud Blyth. The former is a true Crossopus, with brown-tipped teeth, 

 four small lateral teeth, a hook-like process moderately developed, 

 and a well-marked eminence on the lower incisors, its dental formula 

 being ^p+f -r-|^|=30. I am not in a position to express any per- 

 sonal opinion whether the Alpine and Himalayan Shrews are of one 

 species ; but Mr. Tomes, who compared two specimens of the Hima- 

 layan Shrew of Hodgson (? Crossopus caudatus) with a specimen of 

 C. alpinus of Europe, concluded that they, were closely allied, if not 

 perfectly identical ; and stated that if one of the examples of ft cau- 

 datus with a naked compressed tip to its tail had been placed along 

 with the European species it would have been almost impossible to 

 distinguish them. He did not, however, express any more decided 

 opinion regarding their affinity. The dentition of ft caudatus, 

 Hodgson, is that of a true Crossopus. The upper front incisors have 

 a strongly hooked process on their internal margin ; and the inferior 

 incisors are pointed, with a well-developed eminence near their base, 



2-1-4 9 o I a 



the dental formula consequently being ^ +: 2 +2+6 = 30. 



The genus Sorex, as now restricted, has five small lateral teeth ; 

 three, according to Brandt, belong to the intermaxillary, and two to the 

 maxillary. Consequently there are eight upper incisors (the two 

 anterior ones being large and arched, the others behind them de- 

 creasing in size), two canines, two premolars, and eight molars in the 

 upper jaw, as a whole. The mandible has two incisors, two canines, 

 two premolars, and six molars. The incisors of the lower jaw are 

 each furnished with four eminences, corresponding to the number of 

 the upper incisors. The tooth-like process on the internal margin 

 of the upper incisors is very slightly developed ; and the pigment of 

 the teeth is darker than in Crossopus. The dental formula is there- 

 fore as follows: ^ 6 +i+fJ|=32. No Shrews with this type of 

 dentition have hitherto been found in India. 



Dentition of Indian {Brown-toothed) Shretvs. 



Crossopus nigrescens, Gray. '2^ + i+2+6 = ^^- Lower incisors 

 with a well-developed eminence. 



C. caudatus, Hodg. ^ + 1 -f-|^|=30. Lower incisors with a well- 

 developed eminence. 



It is curious to remark that these two forms are Himalayan, while 

 all the white- toothed Shrews are Indian, no brown-tipped-toothed 

 Shrew having as yet been found in India or Ceylon, and none in 

 the Malayan region, as far as I am aware. 



I take this opportunity to describe a small Shrew which I have 

 received from Goalparah on the Brahmaputra, and which appears 

 to be nearly allied to, if not identical with, P. hodgsoni, Blyth. 



Upper surface rich dark glossy brown, under surface pale brown, 



