474 ZOOLOGY. 
the earth, and which they seldom leave till evening; they feed on worms 
and insects. Of this genus North America possesses many a ae inhabit- 
ing different districts. 
The shrews are found also in Asia, Europe, and Africa, and are more 
numerous towards the tropical parts; the countries where they most abound 
are tropical Africa, central and tropical Asia. They constitute particular 
genera in Asia, Sie as Hylogale, Hylomys, &c. 
The extinct genus Oxygomphius had a great redial to Hylogale 
javanica, and differs from it in the tubercular structure of the molar teeth. 
Two species were found in the tertiary deposits of Wirtemberg. 
Several species of Sorex have left their. remains on the continent of 
Europe. 
The genus Mygale (the desmans) is peculiar to Kurope; it i elie from 
shat of the shrews in having two very small teeth placed between the two 
great lower incisors, and the two upper incisors flattened and triangular. 
There are six or seven false molars, and four bristled ones ; the snout is pro- 
longed into a flexible proboscis; the external ear is short and not conspicuous; 
the tail long, scaly, and laterally compressed ; there are five unguiculated 
toes to each foot, united by a membrane; the eyes are very small. A 
species 1s very Common in Southern, Russia, along the rivers and lakes, 
where it feeds on worms, larvze of insects, and particularly on leeches. Its 
burrows, which are constructed in the bank, commence under water, and 
ascend to such a height as to be above its level in the greatest flood. 
Another, but smaller, inhabits the Pyrenees. Of this genus, remains of two 
fossil species have been discovered in France. 
The genus Palcospalax is extinct, and known only by a fragment of the 
lower jaw, with six teeth in their natural position, which in their structure 
are intermediate between Mygale and Talpa. A single species was disco- 
vered on the coast of Norfolk (England). 
The genus JJacroscelides is characterized by a narrow snout, ending ante- 
riorly in a long and sub-cylindrical proboscis, having the nostrils at its apex; 
the eyes are moderate; the ears large and round; the body furry; the tail 
elongated and scaly, annulated, and furnished scantily with hairs; the feet 
are five-toed ; there are two incisors above and two below, and five true 
molars; between these and the incisors are, above and below, four teeth, 
which have been called canines, three of which are probably false molars. 
The five known species of this genus belong to tropical Africa; the J. 
typicus inhabits the open country in the interior of South Africa, and is 
oveasionally seen during the day about the roots of bushes or among brush- 
wood, whence, upon being discovered, it instantly retreats to its natural and 
subterraneous habitation. 
Fam. 8. ERINACEID&. The body is generally covered with spines instead 
of hairs, sometimes with spines and setze intermingled. This family includes 
the largest species of the order; they live in woods and hedges, sometimes 
in burrows. Although chiefly nocturnal in their habits, they often come to 
the light. The eyes are perfectly developed. Some present the remarkable 
phenomenon of a lethargic sleep under the tropical zone. | 
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