12 
NEW-YORK FAUNA. 
FAMILY II. SORECIDJE. 
No lateral membranes 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. Mammae ventral. Fur dense, occasionally ivith 
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. 
all allied by similar habits. They are for the most part nocturnal, and form their habitations 
under ground. They all hibernate ; and one genus, Centenes, Jlliger, from Madagascar, is said 
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 #f four genera, namely, Condylura, Scalops, Sorex and Otisorex. 
GENUS CONDYLURA. Illiger. . 
Muzzle elongated, with radiating cartilages. Incisors six above and four below; the two 
intermediate 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 
Condylura oristata. 
PLATE IV. FIG. 1. —(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Sorex cristatus. Linn. Ed. 12, p. 73. 
Long-tailed, Mole. Penn. Syn. Quad. Fide Erxleben. 
Talpa longicaudata. 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.* Arctic Zool. Vol. 1, p. 140. 
Condylure d longue queue. Desmarest, Mamra. p. 158. 
Condylura cristata. Harlan, Fauna Am. p. 36. 
C. longicaudata. Id. ib. p. 39. 
The Star-nose Mole. Godman, Am. Nat. History, Vol. 1, p. iOO, (fig.) 
