NO. 5. — 1849.] NATURAL HISTORY. 



193 



Family Ursimj. 

 Genus Ursus. 

 24. — U. (Prochilus) labiatus, Blainville. 

 Syn. — U. longirostris, Seid. ; Valakd, Sin. ; Karadi, Mai.; 



Usu, Port. 



The common bear of Europeans ; ubique. 



Order Insectivora. 

 Family Sorim:. 

 Genus Sorex. 



25. 



Syn. — S. Indicus et S. Capensis, Geoff. ; Miyd, Sin. ; 

 MunckurUj Mai. (literally " Smelling-rat"). 



The common shrew or musk rat ; abundant everywhere. 

 There are probably several species yet to be determined. 



Order Rodentia. 

 Family Murim:. 

 Genus Mus. 



26. — M. Bandicota, Bichs. 

 Syn. — M, Giganteus, Hardwick; Miyd, Sin.; Akaldn, 

 Mai.; Ratu, Port, name for all. 



Common in the paddy fields round Kotte, doing great 

 damage to the crops and embankments. The natives 

 consider them very good eating. 



27. —M. Indioa, Geoff. 

 Syn. — M. kok, Gray ; Velleli, Mai. (literally 

 "White-belly rat"). 



Not uncommon about Jaffna. The natives esteem them 

 great delicacies, and they are much sought after. 



28.— M. Setifer, Horsf. 

 Founded on a young specimen, the only one procured. 

 I shot it in a paddy field near Galle, and also saw another 

 near Matara. 



