of Ike British Shrews. 31 



and lateral incisors, it is more especially the tips and the outer sur- 

 face which are thus coloured. It is also the outer surface in the 

 lower molars ; but in the upper molars it is principally the inner 

 surface, and the internal elevated ridges which form the spur. In 

 some specimens the colouring is very slight on the lateral incisors, 

 but it may always be readily observed on the other teeth. 



On the whole, the dental formula for this species will stand thus : 

 Mid. Inc. | ; lat. Inc. § : § ; mol. § : % ; — f §. 



S.fodiens. (Of English Authors.) 



In this species, the entire number of teeth is two less than in the 

 one last described. The molars are the same, both as regards num- 

 ber and form, above and below ; but a considerable difference ap- 

 pears in the middle and lateral incisors. 



The former, in the upper jaw, are larger in relation to the other 

 teeth, and more curved. The first point is also much more developed 

 than the second ; which last appears only as a short though sharp 

 spur, and ceases to convey the impression of the entire tooth being 

 forked. This spur is, however, itself distinctly furnished with a 

 very minute second point, of which there is scarcely a rudiment in 

 the last species. These middle incisors are less divaricated at their 

 origin than in the S. araneus, and meet each other sooner, though 

 in some individuals without actually touching. Their inner mar- 

 gins exhibit at their point of contact a small process, which may be 

 also observed in S. araneus, but which is more obvious in the spe- 

 cies under consideration. 



The lateral incisors in this jaw are only four, and but three of 

 these are readily seen, the fourth being extremely small, and placed 

 rather within the line of the adjoining teeth, by which it is in part 

 concealed when viewed from without. They are of a compressed 

 triangular form, with the base more dilated than in the S. araneus. 

 The first two are of nearly equal size; the third somewhat smaller. 



In the lower jaw, the middle incisors are even more produced 

 than in the S. araneus, and equally horizontal in their direction. 

 The upper margin is almost entire, presenting only near its base 

 one obtuse denticle, seldom very conspicuous, and apparently the 

 less so as age advances. 



The lateral incisors in the lower jaw are two in number, as in the 

 case of the last species. The second is also the largest ; but this 

 tooth, as already mentioned, differs from its corresponding one in the 

 S. araneus in having its posterior or secondary point considerably 

 developed. 



