406 Firetp Museum or Natura History — Zodtocy, Vou. XI. 
a hundred species and subspecies; while a third family (Solenodontide) 
occurs in the West Indies. Eleven species and subspecies belonging 
to 5 genera, including representatives of both of our continental families, 
are found within our limits. 
Suborder INSECTIVORA VERA. 
KEY TO THE FAMILIES 
REPRESENTATIVES OF WHICH OCCUR WITHIN OUR LIMITS. 
A. Length from nose to root of tail more than 4 inches; fore feet modified for digging, 
very large and strikingly different from hind feet; no external ear; ends of 
teeth not red; zygomata present. Family TALPIDE. Moles, p. 433. 
B. Length from nose to root of tail less than 4 inches; fore feet not noticeably large; 
external ear present, although small and often concealed by fur; ends of teeth 
red; zygomata absent. Family SORICIDZ. Shrews, p. 406. 
Family SORICIDA. — Shrews. 
Members of this family are distributed throughout the northern 
hemisphere, except in high latitudes. They are small, terrestrial 
mammals (rarely aquatic), somewhat resem- 
bling a Mouse, but having a long pointed 
snout; the upper lip projects considerably 
beyond the lower; very small eyes and very 
small external ears which are often con- 
cealed by fur. Their bodies are covered 
with thick, soft fur. The tibia and fibula 
Skull Gua are united; zygomata are absent and the 
tympanic bone is shaped like a ring and 
does not form a bulla. The milk teeth are functionless and absorbed 
without appearing above the gum. The cusps on the upper molars 
may be described as resembling the letter W. There is no cecum. 
Their food consists principally of insects and worms, and it is claimed 
that some species occasionally eat nuts. They are distinctly pugna- 
cious and when opportunity occurs will attack, kill and eat small mam- 
mals, such as Mice. 
In writing of Old World Shrews, Edward Topsell says:* ‘It is a 
* Historie of Foure Footed Beastes, London, 1607, Pp. 536. 
