CARNARIA. 



79 



guishatle, even at a distance. [The general form is not unlike that of the Marsnpial genus Mi/rme- 

 co/jins : and the bony orhits of the cranium arc sometimes complete. 



Three species are known, tlie T. tanUy sumatrana, and ferruginea, all of wh'ch are well characterized by differ- 

 ences In the conformation of the cranium, in addition to external distinctions ; they inhabit trees, and are lively 



and active animals.* 



All the remaining genera have minute eyes.] 



The Shrews {Soreic, Lin.) — 

 Are generally small, and covered with [soft] hah-. Under this, on each flank, there is a band of stiff, 

 closely-set l>ristles, from between which, during the rutting season, exudes an odorous fluid, the product 

 of a peculiar gland. Their two middle superior incisors are hooked, and dentated at the base ; the 

 lower ones slanting and elongated: five small teeth follow on each side the first, and only two the 

 second. Tliere are besides, on each jaw, three bristled molars, and finally on the upper one a small 

 tuberculous tooth. These animals retire to holes they barrow in the ground, -pbich they scarcely 

 leave till towards the evening, and subsist on worms and insects. 



[We have obsen-ed them to be much about during; the day, under shelter of close herbage, where their sibilant 

 and insect-like cry notilies their presence, and have occasionally seen them venture forth from cover when all was 

 quiet-t M. Duvernoy discovered that their incisors occupy, from the first, the position they maintain in after-life, 

 but are enveloped for a while by Vciq })erlosi<£um or investing; membrane of the bone to which they are attached, 

 through which the larj^er protrude some time before the others : he accordinf^ly infers that these animals have no 

 milk-teeth. The same naturalist divides this genus into 



1. Surex, Dqv. {Crocidura, AVagl. ; including Mijosorex, Gray) ; wherein the edg;e of the long inferior incisors is 

 unserrated ; that of the upper notched, or with the spur appearing as a point behind ; the small lateral teeth which 

 follow are three or four in number, and diminish rapidly in size from the first to the last ; none of the teeth being- 

 coloured. The ears are conspicuously developed, and the tail has always longer and coarser hairs ming;led with 

 the ordinary short ones. This group, which is very distinct, comprises all tlie numerous extra-European species, 

 together with three {S. araneus, Geoff., S. Etruscus, Savi, and S. leucodon, Herm.) which are met with on this con- 

 tinent. None occur in the British islands. One of the most remarkable is .V. gigantcus, Is. Geof., from India, 

 which approaches in size to the Black Rat, and has a follicle on each side, producing a pun{2;ent musky secretion. 



The remainder have the ears buried in the fur, and consequently inconspicuous. 



2. Amphisorex, Duv. {Coraira, Gray.) — Incisors of the lower jaw with the edge dentelated ; those of the upper 

 forked, the spur behind prolonged to a level with the point in tront : the lateral small teeth which follow five in 

 number, and diminisning gradually in size : all the teeth more or less coloured at the tips. The British species 

 have till very recently been confounded together under the name araneus, which pertains to a continental mem- 

 ber of the preceding division.^ 



3. lliidrosorex, Duv. (Amphisorex and Crossopus, Gray.) — The inferior incisors with an entire edge ; the upper 

 notched, or with a spur appearing as a point behind: the lateral teeth which follow in the upper jaw four 

 in number ; the first two equal, the third somewhat smaller, and the fourth rudimentary ; tips of all the teeth a 

 little coloured. This division, which comprises the aquatic species, is less distinct from the second than both are 

 from the first. CVo^^o^hj of Gray is indeed stated to have the lower incisors dentelated. The British species 

 require further elucidation. § 



The Shrews compose an exceedingly numerous genus, the first section of which appears to be almost generally 

 diffused. They renew their covering both in spring and autumn, acquiring a longer and less glossy winter coat ; 

 and the mode of effecting this is rather peculiar, the change commencing at the head and proceeding backward, 

 preserving a distinct cross line of demarcation throughout its progress. These animals are often found dead on 

 foot-paths, and dry ditches, on spots devoid of herbage, the cause of which remains to be explained. 



• It is remarkable that ttic Squirrels uf the same rei.'lon h:iYe very 

 limilar fur, l>oth in colour and texture, 

 t Tlje common Shrike {LnJiiua colluriu) preys muuh upon our native 



J Mr. Jtnyiis disting-uishes them as /olio 



: an ii 



; of t 



■eddish- 



The Coininon Shrew (^. rusticiis, Jenyns) .—Snout and feel slender : 

 tail moderately stout, nearly cylindrical, not atrenuateii at the tip, 

 well clothed with hairs, which are very diverge;it In the young state, 

 and never closely oppressed. It appears principally to frequent dry 

 eituations — gardens. Iiedge-biinks, &c. 



Irish Shrew {^. hibeTnicns, Jetiyns), — Admitted as a species doubt- 

 fully, until more specimens liave been examined. It is allied to but 

 apijarently smaller than the last, with the coluurj more uniform, and 

 tail shorter and mure slender. 



Square-tailed Shrew (A. teCmgonnrtif, Herm.)— The snout broad, 

 compared with that of the enmmon Shrew: feet, tlie fore especially, 

 much larger; the tail slender, more (juadrangnjJar at all ages, and 

 sliglitly attenuated at the tip ; clothed with closely appressed hairs in 

 the young state, in age nearly naked : upper parts very deep reddish 

 browo ; below, dirty yellowish-grey. This species is more attached to 



marshy districts, though not confined to them. 



Chestnut Shrew {A. castaru'iis, J cnyns). — Snout and feet much as 

 in the last species, but the former rather more attenuated ; tail mo- 

 derately short, nearly round, well clothed with hairs, which form at 

 the extremity a long pencil : upper p.'irts, as well as the snout, feet, 

 and tail, bright chestnut ; under parts ash-grey. The cranium is 

 broader posteriorly and rather more elevated in the crown than in 

 vV. tetriigunurus. It inhabits the same marshy districts. 



} Mr Jenyns distinguishes the 



//. fodiena, Gm.— Of a deep brownish-black above, nearly white 

 beneath -, the two colours distinctly separated on the sides feet and 

 tail ciliated with white hairs. It inhabits marshes and banks in 

 ditches, but is occasionally met with at a distance from M-atcr, It 

 often seeks its prey at the boCom of pools under water, thus approii- 

 mating in habit to the Desmans. 



S. ci/i'if us,Sowcrby (remi/er of Yarrell, and doabtfuUy of GeofFroy) .— 

 Black above; greyish-black beneath; throat yellowish. ash colour: 

 feet and tail strongly ciliated with greyish hairs. Is found in llie 

 same situations as tlie preceding. 



There is reason to suspect others, one or more marked with rufoui 

 on the under parts having been indicated by observers, — Ed. 



