THE SHREW MOUSE. 



long and llender, greatly refembling that of the Hog; the upper mandible 

 extending coniiderably beyond the lower. The head and upper part of the 

 body are of a browniih red colour; the belly is of a dirty white. This little 

 animal differs coniiderably from the Common Moufe, in the number of its 

 teeth, lixteen being the number ufually found in animals of that kind; 

 whereas, the Shrew Moufe has no lefs than twenty-eight; but the difference 

 of the two upper inchlve teeth is ftill more remarkable ; they are not only 

 very Iharp, but are furniflied on each fide, at the point, with an apparatus, 

 not unlike the barbs of an arrow, which is fo fmall, that it is fcarcely vilible, 

 but on the clofeft infpe6tion ; it is, however, admirably well adapted to the 

 purpofe for which the little creature ufes it, namely, that of drawing little 

 worms out of their retreats in the earth, which we have often feen it do 

 with great addrefs and dexterity, and afterwards devour them; and, although 

 it will eat other infedls, and even corn, yet its favourite food feems to be 

 worms, as it is frequently feen on dunghills, routing in the muck, with its long 

 fnout, like a Hog, in fearch of its favourite food. And here the kind care 

 of Providence is no lefs viiible, in conltruCting its fnout of fuch a length and 

 form as feems beft fuited to the fupply of its neceffities. From its habits of 

 living, as it were, among filth and naftinefs, it contracts fo difagreeable a fmell, 

 that Cats will not eat it when they have killed it. 



This little animal is a general inhabitant of Europe : it is frequently 

 found in old walls, among heaps of ftones and rubbifh ; it likewife frequents 

 hayricks, dunghills, and neceffary houfes. It conftrucls a neftof hay, mofs, 

 &c. which has an aperture fcarcely vifible : in this it depofits its young, of 

 which it produces four or five at a litter. It is a harmlefs little animal, and 

 does not do much mifchief to the corn. 



The month of Augufl: feems peculiarly fatal to thefe little creatures, great 

 numbers of them being found dead in the fields, paths, and roads, about 

 that time. 



