13 
Scotophilus Leisleri, S. discolor, aud 8. zerotinus were three very rare 
species, the first two being only represented by single specimens. 
Myotis murinus, the largest British bat, measuring b\ inches in length 
of body, and 15 inches in extent of wing, was confined to the gardens of 
the British Museum. Head long and hairy, nose and face nearly naked ; 
eyes large ; ears oval, pointed, inclining backwards ; tragus falciform. 
Several other rare species of bats were then noticed, as well as some of 
the more common ; among them were Plecotus auritus, the long eared bat, 
the ears of which were twice as long as the head ; P. heerimanus, and 
Barbastellus communis. 
RhindopJtus ferrum equinum, and R. hipposideros, the horse-shoe bats, 
distinguishable at once by the cutaneous developement on the nose, con- 
sisting of two portions, one erect and hastate, placed at the base of the 
forehead, the other shaped like a horse-shoe, bordering the upper lip and 
extending backwards till it reached the other portion, thereby including 
the nostrils within its arch. The dentition also of the first species was 
peculiar, the incisors being very small, far apart, and falling early. 
Erinacid^. Sorex fodiens, the water shrew, found in several countries, 
lived chiefly on aquatic insects. It was a very shy animal, living in a 
burrow close to the water's edge. Feet broad, with a lash of stiff white 
hair on the edge of the toes. Fur silky, brownish black above, white 
beneath. S. araneus, the common shrew, frequented dry sunny places, 
and fed upon worms and insects. It was said to be a very pugnacious 
animal, and curious superstitions connected with it and with the shrew- 
ash-tree were noticed. S. remifer, the oared shrew, was the largest British 
member of the genus. Little was known of its habits, which were more 
or less aquatic. Colour black, but breast, throat, and abdomen were 
yellowish, the feet and tail being densely covered with stiff white hairs. 
Muridje. Myoxus avellanarius (hazel-eater), the dormouse. Head 
large ; eyes prominent ; body round, plump ; tail flattened, rather bushy ; 
colour of fur dull red. Habits gregarious, hybernating in winter, easily 
tamed. In feeding, it held its food in the forepaws, sitting on its 
haunches like a rabbit. 
Mus sylvatieus, the field or wood-mouse. Head long and raised ; muzzle 
tapering ; whiskers very long ; eyes remarkably large. This was a very 
destructive mouse. 
Mus messorius, or harvest-mouse, the smallest British quadruped. 
Length of body 2\ inches ; of tail, 2 inches. Weight only 80 grains. The 
Rev. Gilbert White's description of its beautiful little nests was quoted, 
and it was stated that though it ate corn, grass, and seeds, insects were its 
favourite food. 
Mus rattus, the black rat, common in England in 16th century, was 
supposed to have come from the East, but was now nearly extinct, having 
been extirpated by the Mus decumanas, the brown, or Norwa y rat. It was 
