SOREX 53 



seem to be relatively smaller than usual. Colour of specimens 

 in alcohol apparently as in true araneus. 



Skull and teeth. — Apart from its small size the skull does not 

 differ noticeably from that of the other races, except in the 

 relative shortness of the rostral portion and tooth-row as com- 

 pared with the breadth of palate. Palatal breadth between 

 anterior unicuspids as great in proportion to width of teeth as 

 in S. araneus fretalis. Teeth small, normal in form, the pig- 

 mentation apparently less extensive than usual. 



Measurements. — Type (adult male), and an older male, also 

 from La Granja : head and body, 62 and 66 ; tail, 36 and 37 ; 

 hind foot, 11 "6 and 11*6; ear from meatus, 6 - 6 and 7. For 

 cranial measurements see Table, p. 51. 



Specimens examined. — -Two, both from the type locality. 



Bemarlcs. — In its broad palate the Guadarrama shrew bears 

 a remarkable likeness to the form inhabiting the island of 

 Jersey. It is readily distinguishable from the Jersey animal 

 by its small size, and by the absence of all tendency to enlarge- 

 ment of the anterior teeth. 



2 al. La Granja, Segovia, M.delaEsoalera(c). 6.11.4.3-4. 

 Spain. (6. 11. 4. 4. Type of subspecies.) 



SOREX MINUTUS Linnaeus. 



(Synonymy under subspecies.) 



Geographical distribution. — Northern portion of Eurasia from 

 Ireland eastward (exact eastern limits of range not known). In 

 Europe south to the Pyrenees and southern Italy. 



Diagnosis. — Size small, head and body usually about 

 50-60 mm., the tail 10-15 mm. shorter, condylobasal length 

 of skull 14" 8-16 • 6 mm.; posterior lobe of anterior upper 

 incisor sub-terete, the length of its base about half that of 

 anterior cusp ; colour brown, the underparts always lighter 

 than back, and sides never specially contrasted. 



External characters. — In general external characters Sorex 

 minutus agrees with S. araneus, except for its smaller size and 

 relatively longer tail. 



Colour. — The colour rather closely resembles that of Sorex 

 araneus in dull summer pelage, except that the back usually has 

 a peculiar greyish cast not easy to describe, but by which it is 

 possible to recognise skins with much certainty. There is never 

 any indication of a specially differentiated colour area along sides. 

 Upper parts between sepia and wood-brown in summer, more 

 nearly hair-brown in winter, the hairs slate-grey at base and 

 with faint silvery sub-terminal annulations more visible in some 

 lights than in others, and giving rise to the greyish effect already 

 alluded to. Underparts smoke-grey of varying depth, some- 



