INSECTIVORA. 



INSECT-EATING MAMMALS. 



The five British members of this order are comprised in four 

 genera, viz.: — Talpa, represented by the Mole ; Erinaceus, by 

 the Hedgehog ; Sorex, by the Common and Pygmy Shrews ; and 

 Neomys, by the Water Shrew. Of these the Hedgehog and 

 Pygmy Shrew are alone found in all three sections of the 

 kingdom. The Mole, Common Shrew, and Water Shrew, 

 although common in Great Britain, are unknown in Ireland. 



These four genera are typical of as many families, and 

 since in dealing with them there arises no question of super- 

 generic importance affecting British natural history, it seems 

 best to shorten the introduction to this order and to omit all 

 technical descriptions of the families. This course leaves more 

 space for the ampler treatment demanded by more difficult 

 groups, such as bats, rodents, seals, and whales. 



To non-technical eyes the British insectivora, excepting 

 the shrews, present few points of resemblance, and even 

 the characteristic to which they owe the name of their 

 order is not absolute, since, although restricted as a whole 

 to a diet of invertebrates, they have no objection to 

 attack and devour the higher animals when an opportunity 

 occurs. In fact, the Hedgehog .is in this respect a frequent, 

 the Water Shrew an habitual, offender; and for the others, 

 the limits of their menu are probably in this respect governed 

 rather by their lack of power than by any lack of relish for flesh. 

 As mentioned in detail under the various species, some 

 insectivores will even eat vegetable matter, when no other 

 food is available. 



VOL. II. A 



