ORDER CARNASSiER. 19 



very common along the rivers and lakes of 

 Southern Russia. It subsists on worms, on the 

 larvae of insects, and more especially on leeches, 

 which it easily draws out of the mud with its 

 mobile snout. Its burrow, dug within the bank, 

 commences under the water, and is raised in 

 such a manner that the bottom remains above 

 the level in the largest waters. This animal 

 does not come voluntarily to dry land, but is 

 often taken in nets. Its musky odour arises 

 from a sort of pommade, secreted in small fol- 

 licles under the tail. This odour is communi- 

 cated even to the flesh of pikes, which prey 

 upon these animals. 

 A small species of this genus has been discovered 

 in the streams of the Pyrenees, and made known by 

 M GeofFroy. Ann. du Mus. torn. XVII. pi. iv. f. i. 



The Scalopes (Scalops, Cuv.) 



Unite to the teeth of the Desmans, and to the simply- 

 pointed muzzle of the Shrews, large hands, armed 

 with strong nails, fitted for digging into the earth, 

 and entirely similar to those of moles. Accordingly 

 they lead the same sort of life. 

 The only species known is 



The Scalope of Canada (Sorex aquaticus, Lin.). Schreh. 

 CLVIII. 



Appears to inhabit a considerable portion of 

 North America along the banks of rivers. 



