148 



SORICID^— NEOMYS 



Apart from its colour, size, and the important cranial and 

 dental characters, the greater size of the hind foot, measuring 

 16 to 18 as against 12 to 14 mm. in the Common Shrew, is 

 probably the best absolute criterion of this species. 



[Remains of a Desman from the late pliocene Forest-bed of Norfolk 

 were first described by Owen, in 1 846, under the name of Palmospalax 

 magnus. Of late years they have been referred to the living " Myogale " 

 = Desmana moschata of the Volga. If, as is quite probable, the fossils 

 really belong to an extinct species, Owen's specific name, at all events, 

 will have to be used.] 



C^) 



Fig. 27. — Skull of Talpa eurofcea : — (a) from above ; (fi) from the side ; 

 (c) from beneath. (Drawn by G. DoIIman.) 



Fig. 28. — Skull of Epimys rattus, to show " rodent teeth" (life size). 



