ORDER CARNASSIER. 179 



Methodique," and which is printed in that collection, at 

 the head of the Anatomical System of Animals, by Vicq- 

 d'Azir. 



The Tetragonurus is a little smaller than the Sorex 

 Araneus, and the tail much longer. The head is larger, 

 and the muzzle more slender. The teeth are brown at 

 their extremities ; there are two false canines more in the 

 upper jaw, and all of them are smaller, and of an equal 

 volume. Its ears, without being entirely concealed within 

 the hairs, are shorter, and less apparent than in the com- 

 mon Shrew. Its fur is blackish above, and a brown ash- 

 colour below. Its tail is most decidedly squared, each 

 face being altogether plane, and terminating suddenly in a 

 very fine point. The lower part of the face exhibits a 

 slight furrow. This species lives nearly in the same 

 places as the common ; it is found in barns, particularly in 

 the country, and sometimes within walled gardens. 



The next species of the Shrew is that which is called, by 

 Hermann, Sorex Constrictus, and by Daubenton, Plaron. 

 The only specimens ever possessed by Hermann, consisted 

 of a litter of seven young ones, whose teeth had not yet 

 appeared. No longer assisted by the labours of Dr. Gall, 

 he found himself unable to procure an adult individual, 

 and, consequently, he remained in some doubt respecting 

 the reality of the species. The eminent Naturalist, to 

 whose labours we are so deeply indebted for accurate in- 

 formation, respecting many tribes of animals, (M. Geof- 

 froy,) had the good fortune to have access to many adult 

 specimens of this species, which enabled him to complete 

 its verification and description. 



The Sorex Constrictus is equally found in Germany as 

 well as France. It has been described, figured, and ex- 

 tremely well-coloured, by M. Bechstein, in his work on 

 Zoology, printed at Leipsic, in 1801. He gave it the 

 name of Cunicularis, an appellation, objectionable from 



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