SHREWS. 75 



the remaining three molars. On the other hand, in the upper 

 jaw the number is variable, ranging from seven to ten pairs. 



The Family, which contains a large number of representatives, 

 has a wider geographical distribution than any other of the 

 Order, ranging over the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, 

 Africa and North America, as well as many of their islands. 

 In habits, most of the Shrews are terrestrial, although a few, 

 and among them one British species, are aquatic. 



In popular estimation these animals (as their common 

 designation of Shrew-Mice indicates) are often confounded 

 with Mice, although the two groups have not the most remote 

 affinity with one another. A glance at the dentition will, of 

 course, at once serve to decide to which group any given 

 specimen pertains. 



THE TRUE SHREWS. GENUS SOREX. 

 Sorex, Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12 vol. i. p. 73 (1766). 



Teeth thirty-two in number, with their tips coloured reddish- 

 brown ; ear well-developed ; tail long, and covered with more 

 or less nearly equal hairs ; limbs normal, and adapted for 

 walking. Habits terrestrial. 



The genus is represented by a large number of species, 

 ranging over Northern Africa, Europe, Asia north of the 

 Himalaya, and North America, but unknown in India and 

 the adjacent regions. 



I. THE COMMON SHREW. SOREX VULGARIS. 



Sorex vulgaris, Linn., Syst. Nat. ed. 12 vol. i. p. 73 (1766) ; 



Bell, British Quadrupeds 2nd ed. p. 141 (1874). 

 Sorex araneus, Bell, British Quadrupeds p. 109 (1837, nee 



Linn.). 

 Sorex tetragonurus, Herman, Obs. Zool. p. 48 (1870). 

 {Plate VI.) 

 Characters — Ear small, rounded, and scarcely projecting 



