30 A Memoir on the Indian species of Shrews. [No. 1. 



in the Khasya hills, had manifestly become mixed and confounded ; 

 whence certain important mistakes concerning habitats.* S. Grif- 

 jithii is described to be affined to S. murinus ; " but differing 

 essentially by the uniform deep blackish-brown tint, and the short- 

 ness, delicacy, and softness of the fur. Colour deep blackish-brown 

 throughout, with a slight rufous reflection in a certain light. Length 

 of head and body, 5f in. ; tail, %\ in." Horsfield's Catalogue. 



3. S. serpentaritts, Is. G-eoffroy : S. Jcandianus, Kelaart. De- 

 scribed in J. A. S. XXI, 350, from a skin sent by Dr. Kelaart as 

 " the large godown Shrew of Kandy ;" though scarcely corresponding 

 with his indications, J. A. S. XX, 164, 185. A second skin of pre- 

 cisely the same species, and also an adolescent specimen entire in 

 spirit, were subsequently forwarded from Mergui by Capt. Berd- 

 more, as noticed in XXII, 412. In both adults, the tail (vertebrae) 

 measures 2£ in. ; and the head and body (allowing for some exten- 

 sion of the skin) about 4-§ in. " The Kandyan specimen is more 

 rufescent than the others ; but we can perceive no further difference 

 whatever : indeed, to judge from the two Mergui examples, it would 

 seem that this animal becomes more rufescent with age. Dr. Ke- 

 laart states that its odour is as offensive as that of the large Musk 

 Shrew of Ceylon. The Coromandel coast and the Mauritius are 

 given as its habitats. Colour duskyish-grey, with dark rufous- 

 brown tips to the fur, more or less developed according to age, and 

 the under-parts somewhat paler. 



4. S. soccatus, Hodgson, Ann. Mag. N. H. XV, 270. A Sikim 

 specimen which we refer to this species, bears considerable resem- 

 blance to the last, but is a good deal darker, with well clad feet and 

 tail; and the head and limbs are proportionally larger. Entire 

 length of skull with front teeth in situbus, l-fa in ; breadth T 9 ¥ in. 

 (nearly) : entire range of upper teeth, f in. : ditto of S. serpenta- 

 rixjs, barely exceeding §- in. Tail (vertebrae), 2^ in. ; compressed 

 towards tip, which is furnished with a pencil-tuft of stiffish hairs. 

 Mr. Hodgson thus describes his animal. " Size and proportions of 

 S. kemorivagus, H. (nearly) ; but distinguished by its feet being 

 clad with fur down to the nails, and by its depressed head and 

 tumid bulging cheeks (mystaceal region). Ears large and exposed. 



* Vide/. A. 8. XXII, 413. 



