ORDER CARNASSIER. 173 



ciate the distinctive characters of this genus, in a memoir 

 which he inserted in the Transactions of the Academy of 

 Sciences, in 1756. He also made known, at the same time, 

 two distinct species. 



The Shrews, in fact, have no relation with the Rodentia, 

 and consequently none with the Mice. Their jaws are com- 

 pletely furnished with teeth. They are destitute of a caecum, 

 and even of large intestines. Their ossa pubis are not united, 

 and their head, which is excessively elongated, gives them 

 quite another physiognomy. It is not easy to reckon their 

 teeth, and at the same time to distinguish with precision 

 their different kinds ; for all that we can learn on the sub- 

 ject, after the most attentive examination's, that the ante- 

 rior teeth, or if it must be so, the incisors, are the longest ; 

 that the lateral teeth are the shortest, and that those in the 

 hinder part of the mouth are furnished with conical points. 



A single Sorex, and one of the most common, the fur of 

 which is of a grayish red, was the only one known until 

 the year 1756. Daubenton then brought to light one of 

 those species which live near the water, and to which 

 Erxleben and Blumenbach have given the name of its dis- 

 coverer, calling it Sorex Daubentonii. 



Some other species were also discovered in France, but 

 at a period considerably later, in 1778. The celebrated 

 Professor Hermann, of Strasburg, was informed of their 

 existence by one of his pupils, whom an enthusiastic ardour 

 for the study of natural history was at that time continually 

 stimulating to researches after the smaller tribes of ani- 

 mals. This pupil, whom considerable services to the cause 

 of science have since advanced to an honourable celebrity, 

 and to whom, whatever may be thought of his peculiar 

 doctrines, none can refuse the praise of persevering assi- 

 duity in the cultivation of knowledge, was no other than 

 Dr. Gall. This disciple made known to his professor, 

 without permitting himself to go any further, three new 



