Claisl. SHREW MOUSE. 113 



the legs are very Ihort : the hind legs are placed very 

 far back ; the feet are divided into five diftincSt toes. 



The teeth are twenty-eight in numiber -, and of fo 

 lingular a form, as to engage the attention of moft 

 naturalifts. Gefner is of opinion, that nature feems 

 to have formed, in this animal, teeth of mixed ihape, 

 between thofe of mice and ferpents : the two upper 

 fore-teeth are very Iharp, and on each fide of them 

 grows a minute procefs, fcarce vifible, except on a near 

 infpe6tion : the other teeth are placed clofe together, 

 are very fmall, and feem fcarce feparated. 



The fhrevv moufe inhabits old walls, heaps of 

 ftones, or holes in the earth : is frequently found 

 near out-buildings, hay-ricks, dung-hills, and necef- 

 fary houfes : it lives on infers, corn, and any filth ; 

 and has been obferved rooting like a hog in the laft 

 named places : either from its food, or its nature, it 

 has a ftrong difagreeable fmell ; infomuch that the 

 cat will kill it, yet refufes to eat it. It is faid to bring 

 four or five young at a time. 



Genus 



