1861.] OF GUATEMALAN MAMMALS. 2/9 



into two species he has been followed by Major le Conte. That the 

 V. ursinus of these authors is identical with the larger specimen of 

 V. carolinensis in the Paris Museum, I am able to state from actual 

 inspection of the types. It remains for further observation to de- 

 termine whether they are really distinct. Only one specimen appears 

 in the present collection, although a great number have been col- 

 lected by M. Salle in Mexico. 



5. SOREX MiCRURtrs, n. sp. 



The present species, which I believe to be new, is in size somewhat 

 inferior to the European Sorex vulgaris. In general form it is not 

 unlike that species, excepting that it has a very short and slender 

 tail. 



In its dentition it approximates pretty closely to the species com- 

 posing the group of American Shrews, which has been defined by 

 Prof. Baird in the following terms : — " Third premolar larger than 

 the fourth, smaller than or equal to the second." The species thus 

 characterized are Sorex pachyurus, S. forsteri, S. richardsonii, and 

 S. 2}latyrhinus. From these, as well as from other Shrews from 

 Cobau, which have been named by Dr. Gray, it differs remarkably 

 ia the small size of the tail. 



The fur is rather long for the size of the animal, very thick, soft, 

 and a little glossy. The general hue of all the upper parts is darkish 

 grey-brown, with a slightly grisly appearance. It is darkest on the 

 top of the nose and top of the head, and thence along the middle of 

 the back to the root of the tall. On the sides of the back it is a 

 little paler, and from this it becomes insensibly paler on the sides of 

 the body, until the whole under surface may be called a lightish 

 grey-brown, tinged on the chin and along the middle of the abdo- 

 men with yellowish rufous. On all parts of the body the fur is 

 lead-coloured at the root, paler above than beneath. The feet and 

 tall are clothed with thinly scattered short hairs, of a lightish grey 

 colour. 



1. 2. 



, , II III II III 



Length of the head and body 2 5 2 4 



of the tail 10 10 



of the head 9 OJ 



from end of nose to eye .... 4^ 



• from end of nose to ear .... ■ 7 



of the fore foot and claws ..04 04 



of the hind foot and claws . . 5^ 5^ 



The above description has been drawn up from three specimens, 

 two of which, being preserved in spirits, have furnished the above 

 dimensions, and from the third, which is preserved in skin, the qua- 

 lity and the colouring of the fur have been noted. 



6. LuTRA CHiLENSis, Beuu. P. Z. S. 1832, p. 1 ; Waterh. Zool. 

 Voy. Beagle, Mamm. p. 22. 



The specimen collected in Guatemala by Mr. Salvin agrees with 



