SORICIDA. — CLXXXVIII. 327 
drab. L. 11. T. 54. N. N. Y. to Me. and N. (Named for 
Severn R., Canada.) Typical sabrinus occurs about Hudson Bay ; 
the form in the northern U.S. is subspec. macrotis Mearns (axpés, 
long; ods, ear). Subspec. silus (Bangs). Similar but much smaller. 
L. 84. T.33. One specimen known from Katis Mt., White Sulphur 
Springs, W. Va.; perhaps a distinct species. (Lat., snub-nosed.) 
“ But we have reached the end of the chain of rodent beings of 
the earth, the water, and almost of the air, a cycle of mammalian 
life which circumscribes extraordinary diversity of form and func- 
tion, revolving about a single central point of organization, namely, 
adze-like teeth, to gnaw wood with. The number of individuals 
which make a living in this way in a world of Malthusian strife is 
simply incalculable. . . . Yet they have one obvious part to play, 
that of turning grass into flesh, in order that carnivorous Goths 
and Vandals may subsist also, and in their turn proclaim, ‘ All 
flesh is grass.”” (Coues.) 
OrpreR XLIX. INSECTIVORA. (Tue INsEcT-EATERS.) 
Teeth of three kinds, molars, canines, and incisors, all with 
enamel; brain small, the cerebrum without sylvian fissures ; limbs 
well developed and adapted for walking. 
A large group of small animals, analogous to the Carnivora in 
many respects, but the individuals so small as to be unable to 
attack vertebrate animals, and therefore feeding chiefly on insects. 
But two of the numerous families are represented in our fauna. 
a. Fur soft, without spines; sides of body without membrane for “ flying,” 
canine teeth indistinct. 
b. Fore feet not enlarged; muzzle elongate; external ear developed ; appear- 
ance mouse-like. . . . F » « » Soxtcipsz, 188. 
6b. Fore feet ey broad, with staat dives adapted for digging; no external 
ear. . ote ic es 8 + « » « TArips, 189, 
Famity CLXXXVITI. SORICIDAS. (Tue Surews.) 
Small Insectivora, mouse-like in appearance, with the eyes and 
external ears developed. Muzzle elongate. Feet normal, not 
fossorial; the fore feet mostly smaller than the hind ones. Teeth 
184529; canines obsolete. The most abundant and widely dis- 
tributed family of the Insectivora, comprising more than half the 
known species, arranged in 10 to 12 genera. 
a. Ears large, the concha turned backward.. . . . . . . Sorex, 559. 
aa. Ears small, not visible externally, the concha directed forwards, so as to 
hide the opening; tail short, not longer than head. . Buartna, 560. 
559. SOREX Linneus. (Lat., field mouse.) 
a, Feet very long, fringed. Aquatic. (Neosorex Baird.) 
